Publication Type
Working Paper
Version
publishedVersion
Publication Date
10-2012
Abstract
In ‘Generalization and Induction: Misconceptions, Clarifications, and a Classification of Induction’, we comment on Lee and Baskerville’s (2003) paper ‘Generalizing Generalizability in Information Systems Research’, which attempts to clarify the concept of generalization and classify it into four types. Our commentary discusses the misconceptions in their paper and proposes an alternative classification of induction. Their response ‘Conceptualizing Generalizability: New Contributions and a Reply’ perpetuates their misconceptions and create new ones. The purpose of this rejoinder is to highlight the major problems both in their original paper and in their reply and to provide further clarifications. Lee and Baskerville’s so-called ‘new language’ of describing research activities based on their concept of generalization is confusing. Their classification abuses the term ‘generalize’ and is self-contradictory. Hence, contrary to their claim, their classification and ours are not compatible. Also contrary to their claim that we advocate paradigmatic domination, our commentary is just about the correct use of terms such as ‘generalize’, ‘induction’ and ‘deduction’.
Keywords
Research methodology, generalization, induction, deduction, Hume’s problem of induction, paradigm
Discipline
Philosophy
Research Areas
Humanities
First Page
1
Last Page
23
Citation
TSANG, Eric W. K. and WILLIAMS, John N., "Generalization and Induction: More Misconceptions and Clarifications" (2012). Research Collection School of Social Sciences. Paper 1144.
https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/1144
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/1144
Copyright Owner and License
Authors
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Comments
Published in MIS Quarterly 2012, 36 (3), 729-748.