Generalization from Single Cases and the Concept of Double Dialogicality

Area of Science:

• Qualitative Social Research
• Psychology
• Sociolinguistics

Background:

• Generalization in qualitative research faces challenges due to the situated and unique nature of human experiences.
• Psychological phenomena are unique yet dialogically linked to socio-cultural sense-making traditions.
• Discursive practices are crucial for meaning-making in social interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the concept of double-dialogicality for understanding generalization from single cases.
• To analyze the role of socio-cultural traditions and discursive practices in qualitative generalization.
• To identify how the general can be recognized within unique psychological phenomena.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of double-dialogicality.
• Examination of discursive practices in social interactions.
• Theoretical framework for generalization in qualitative social research.

Main Results:

• Double-dialogicality provides a framework for understanding the relationship between unique instances and generalizable patterns.
• Culturally available resources are essential for communicative meaning and situated sense-making.
• The concept facilitates identifying generalizable aspects within unique psychological phenomena.

Conclusions:

• Double-dialogicality offers a valuable theoretical contribution to the problem of generalization in qualitative social research.
• Understanding the dialogical intertwining of unique experiences with socio-cultural traditions is key.
• This approach allows for the identification of generalizable elements within unique, situated human activities.