ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to achieve three objectives: to clearly define generalization and induction and propose a classification of induction, to dispel some major misconceptions of generalization, and to rebut the prevailing view that case studies are weak in generalizability. The five types of generalization, namely theoretical generalization, empirical generalization, statistical generalization, naturalistic generalization and analytic generalization, have their roots in the literature. Theoretical generalization refers to generalizing from the findings of a case study to theory. Empirical generalization concerns whether the findings of a case study are typical of the population from which the cases are drawn or of another population. Naturalistic generalization, in contrast, is more intuitive, empirical, and based on personal direct and vicarious experience, the attributes associated with interpretivism. Analytic generalization refers to "the logic whereby case study findings can extend to situations outside of the original case study, based on the relevance of similar theoretical concepts or principles".
