Content Generalizability: Generalizing Qualitative Research to the General Study Population

Abstract

This paper highlights an important topic in qualitative research: the generalizability of qualitative findings to the general study population. While the concept of generalizability in qualitative inquiry has been discussed, with types such as analytical generalizability and transferability being proposed, the direct generalization of qualitative results to the general population has received limited attention. This oversight stems largely from the prevailing belief among researchers that qualitative research cannot be generalized due to its reliance on small, non-randomized samples. This perception has led many scientists, particularly those outside the social sciences, to regard qualitative research primarily as exploratory or supplementary to quantitative findings. This paper is a technical note that presents a new concept and procedure. Based on concept analysis, content generalizability is proposed, which offers a new type of generalizability through which qualitative findings can be applied to the general population, thereby enabling them to inform policy and drive social change. Content generalizability could expand the uses of qualitative research within the scientific community by providing knowledge and insights into the experiences of the general study population. This paper also contributes to developing empirical research by testing and applying content generalizability.