Researching Distance Learning Using a Qualitative Case Study Approach: Tackling the issue of generalisation

Researching Distance Learning Using a Qualitative Case Study Approach: Tackling the issue of generalisation - to generalise or not to generalise ...

Hisham Dzakiria, Deputy Dean (Research and Graduate Studies), Faculty of Communication and Modern Languages, Universiti Utara Malaysia

Abstract
Qualitative case study enables us to have a thick description and understanding of the reality. It provides a sense of ‘being there’. Despite the many positive aspects of case studies in qualitative research, qualitative case studies continued to be criticized for its lack of objectivity and generalisability. The word 'generalisability' is defined as the degree to which the findings can be generalized from the study sample to the entire population. Quantitative research implicitly assumes that theories are only built upon statistical inference. It tends to forget that statistics are but one instrument to assist human minds to arrive at theories. A theory which is well tested over one population does not necessarily apply to another population and it decays over time. This paper suggests that while qualitative studies are not generalisable in the traditional sense of the word, nor do they claim to be, they can have other redeeming features which make them highly valuable in the education community. This can be achieved by extending the power to generalise to readers or other researchers through the concept of relatability in responding to the issue of generalisability in qualitative research. In doing so, this paper discussed Michael Bassey’s fuzzy generalisation to explain the power play that readers can have in generating generalisation in qualitative research. The concept of ‘relatability’ has its own merits, one that is justifiable and has its own potential to be developed.This paper is based on two qualitative case study on the experiences and perspectives of a small group of distance learners as they progress through their courses at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) and a study on the perspectives of five-star hotel in Penang towards environmental policy and issues in Malaysia .

Researchers of qualitative case study are often confronted by the question: `What is the use of the case study if the findings are not generalizable

I like to introduce this paper by referring to a quotation made by Verma & Mallick's (1999:p.198): Generalisation is supposed to be a major aim of educational research, and ask the following questions: Is this always the case? Is generalisation the ultimate objective of educational research? Why generalisation is much a concern? Why generalizing? Why do we always have to resort to generalising the research findings? Is generalisation always ever green and sustainable?

The ultimate aim of qualitative research is to offer a perspective of a situation and provide well-written reports that reflect the researcher's ability to illustrate or describe the corresponding phenomenon. One of the greatest strengths of the qualitative approach is the richness and depth of explorations and descriptions. The mission of qualitative research, as I understand it, is to discover meaning and understanding, rather than to verify truth or predict outcomes.

However, the fact remains, generalisation has always been a `stumbling block' for researchers across the social sciences (Bassey, 1999; Hamilton, 1980; Lincoln & Guba, 1985; Stake, 1978; Yin, 1984, 1994). This is even so in research culture where quantitative methods of research dominate over the use of qualitative research. Qualitative research has been criticized and regarded with suspicion and hostility, within the field of education and elsewhere, because its general characteristics remain poorly understood and consequently its potential remains underdeveloped (Adelman, Kemmis, & Jenkins, 1980; Sandelowski, 1986). This scenario is true within the educational research community in Malaysia. As a researcher, you are always faced with the questions of: Are your findings generalisable?, What can your research contribute? The use of qualitative method complicates the issue of generalisation even more. This is especially so in a `hostile' research environment for such research approach. Qualitative researchers will inevitably have to confront not only with the above questions, but also with other critics and questions. For example, if you use case study, Why use case study? What is its significant?, How will be carried out? Can `X' number of respondents produce generalisable findings?, Why use just `X' number of respondents?, Are the samples representative of the population?, etc. A familiar criticism of qualitative methodology questions the value of its dependence on small samples which is believed to render it incapable of generalizing conclusions (Hamel, Dufour, & Fortin, 1993' Yin, 1984, 1993, and 1994)

The question about generalisability implicitly assumes that theories are only built upon statistical inference. However, it tends to forget that statistics are but one instrument to assist human minds to arrive at theories. Insightful findings in a case study is a theory in its own whether or not it is further developed to a theory about more cases. A theory which is well tested over one population does not necessarily apply to another population. In fact, this paper argues that it is a common mistake to over generalize what is true in one educational research to other situations, contexts or even countries. In addition, generalisation will decay over time. This paper considers some methodological aspects of collecting qualitative case study from distance learners (DLs) carried out in Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Malaysia. Specifically, this paper introduces the concept of `relatability' to respond to the issue of generalisability in qualitative research. This paper suggests that while qualitative studies are not generalisable in the traditional sense of the word, nor do they claim to be, they can have other redeeming features which make them highly valuable in the education community. This can be achieved by extending the power to generalize to readers or other researchers through the concept of relatability in responding to the issue of generalisability in qualitative research. In doing so, this paper discussed Michael Bassey's fuzzy generalisation to explain the power play that readers can have in generating generalisation in qualitative research. The concept of `relatability' has its own merits, one that is justifiable and has its own potential to be developed.

This paper is based on my PhD study on students' perspectives and experiences on distance learning at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM). This study seeks knowledge to generate insights into how, why, when and where DLs at UUM undertake their learning in particular ways. This research is a single case study focused on a small number of Universiti Utara Malaysia distance learners. Twelve distance learners were involved and selected on the basis of voluntary participation and ability to share their distance learning experience and perspective with much openness. Different research methods were used with interview remaining as the primary method for data collection, supplemented by students' journals and photographs. The information needed for this study was individual, detailed and contextual. Finding out about the circumstances under which UUM DLs study, the practicalities of studying and getting into the mind frame of learners were important elements of this study. This research was based on the following three epistemological attitudes adopted from by Segall (1990,1998): 1) .Metaphysical: What is the story - exploring how DLs address causality, intention, existence and truth about their distance learning; 2.Historical- search for understanding of how learning barriers and challenges began. How or what causes the learning barriers that DLs face in their pursue of distance education?; 3.) Pedagogical-What can the institution do to improve the educational experience of distance learning at UUM?; How can the institution make changes to the existing distance learning courses and programs, and assist learners in their endeavors based on feedback and knowledge generated from this study? The findings shared in this study can be seen as providing a holistic understanding or conceptual framework for understanding student learning from the learners' perspective.

The questions that I had were research questions based on substantial experience and theoretical knowledge of DE and distance learning that I had acquired over the years. The questions were then refined and grounded from the discourse and discussions with different DE stakeholders at UUM. The research questions were continuously revised and improvised to function as interpretative questions.

An instrumental qualitative case study (Stake 1995) approach was employed to understand the experience of individual learners as they progressed through their study careers. The research used three different research instruments: the interview being the primary instrument, supplemented by students' journals and photographs. All the DLs involved in this study were interviewed on a one-to-one basis during the 2002 academic year. The following interview guide in table 1 was used as a framework to conduct the f2f interviews:

The research informants for this study were Universiti Utara Malaysia DLs. Being subject to a management-based institution, naturally, the learners involved in this study were management and business students. Due to the heterogeneous characteristics of DLs, this study purposely engaged with DLs with various backgrounds to generate unique insights into how and why DLs of different backgrounds at UUM undertake and survive their distance learning. Specifically, DLs of different ethnic background (namely, Malays and Chinese) and of different gender were chosen to investigate the UUM DLs' learning process and experience.

The 12 research participants included 8 male and 4 female learners. In terms of ethnic and cultural background, 7 Malay learners and 5 Chinese learners contributed to the findings of this research. All of the respondents had completed the 12 years mandatory education in Malaysia, and had completed form 5 (the fifth year of secondary education) and sat for the SPM (equivalent to GCSE level) examination. 50% of them had some post secondary education or had undergone some vocational training courses, and 25% or three out of the 12 participants had a teaching certificate from a teacher's college. The maturity of the students resulted in an overall average of 8.9 years of working experience. All of them had professional careers, including teaching, police, clerical, sales, technical, self-employed and secretarial work. Most of the students earned less than RM2,000 per month. It would seem that, despite quite high fees for DE courses, demand for places in such courses remains strong. Students seem willing to make considerable financial sacrifices to obtain a paper qualification. 90% of the students had an immediate family to care for. The average household size of the respondents was 4.7 people. Over 57% of the research participants came from households with 4-6 persons; 15% from households with 7 persons or more; while 25% came from households with 3 person or less.

It is important to listen to and understand DLs' voices and perspectives on DE in Malaysia because of the complex mix of cultures, languages and urban and rural factors. Additionally, there is a need to reflect on the effectiveness of the DE programmes, teaching and services provided from time to time. In doing so, DE providers and institutions need to get a balanced picture of what is `right' and `wrong' in their DE programmes, courses and administration. Understanding how the DE experience discourages or frustrates DLs enables DE providers and institutions, distance teachers and other stakeholders in DE to reflect and make constructive changes to create the condition for better distance learning in the future.

A study that focuses on DLs' perspectives and experiences in distance learning and their learning interactions is important for several reasons. First, there have been virtually no major studies that have sought the voices of DLs in Malaysia. For this reason, this research sought to explore and offer an understanding of DLs' perceptions of their educational experiences in distance learning, and to construct a rich and detailed account of the wide range of factors that might have influence and build the DLs' character and behaviour in distance learning at UUM.

Second, the current definitions of the term distance learning are vague, and vary within and across the open & distance learning (ODL) literature. Therefore, much confusion exists as to what distance learning really entails. This in turn has created expectations that define what distance learning is all about from other stakeholders' point of view, not that of the DLs themselves. Considering the experiences of DLs in formulating definitions can help to clarify the term, perhaps creating new approaches to addressing the needs of this population.

Finally, the implications of this study are pertinent to how UUM DE administrators, distance teachers and educators organise courses and programmes, and educational activities to meet with the needs of the DLs. Ultimately, this study will contribute to a deeper understanding of how DLs perceive and experience distance learning at UUM. Such understanding will enhance our knowledge of how to go about designing and implementing effective future DE programmes and services for DLs in the future.

UUM, like any other dual mode institution, aims to be an effective distance learning provider in Malaysia. If UUM, or for that matter any DE provider or institution, wishes to promote distance learning, issues pertaining to learning support must be addressed effectively. Apparent neglect of learning support which clearly link the learning environment, physical and social to student engagement and learning outcomes; inappropriate ways of measuring DLs' satisfaction need attention. The students as evident in this study, needed continuous human contact-the presence of a teacher figure to guide their learning. The meaning of such frustrations is not well understood by many UUM distance teachers, possibly due to the fact that a majority of them are “products” of a f2f institution themselves. As such:

The consequence is that the distance teachers and educators have very little sympathy with the learners. They don't understand the degree of difficulties that DLs may have in pursuing their distance course. Distance teachers should be seen not just as knowledge providers but as learning support providers. In reality, the process of student learning at a distance as revealed in this study is more complex than the conventional f2f setting, the reason being, that the obstacles that these DLs encounter may differ from one distance learner to another, with varying degrees of complexity.

The task is to design and offer a distance educational experience that encourages learning. DE providers need to understand that its educational products and services are to service the learner and provide an encouraging educational experience. We must consciously and actively develop and maintain approaches which enable learners to have their voices heard, and for distance teachers and educators, and UUM itself to be able to listen and understand the practical implications of what is being said. The learners should never be perceived as the problem, but should be perceived and integrated as part of the solution. Such an approach and attitude will benefit all stakeholders in DE.

In designing the learning support, the study encourages the DE providers to choose appropriate combinations of methods for particular learning contexts. It is important to note that the recommendations that this research proposes for UUM are certainly not the ideal solution to learning support concerns in distance learning. Nor do they necessarily provide optimal advice pertaining to components within the learning support. They are, however, made in an earnest effort, firstly to sensitise distance teachers of the importance of their role in providing learning support in distance learning and, more importantly, to stimulate thought, dialogue, and future research in providing learning support to DE programmes and courses.

The employment of qualitative methodology in this research does not mean that this research was intended to polarise qualitative versus quantitative research methods. Rather it was to the contrary. Although Morgan (1991) states that there can be factors within an organisation in DE which lead to what has been labelled an `hegemony of survey method', this is not to claim superiority for one or the other method. The position set out by Saljo (1988: 35) provides a useful statement of a `position' for this study on student learning:

…there is no necessary conflict between qualitative and quantitative approaches for generating and analysing data. …Given the conception of learning outlined-it is evident that the family of methods conventionally referred to as qualitative is of primary importance. A thorough understanding of what learning means in concrete terms in various settings presupposes a detailed analysis of how students deal with the tasks they are presented…In saying this we are trying to establish another fundamental assumption behind the research into everyday human learning… Access to the learner's perspective on the activities of teaching and learning is essential for understanding educational phenomena…and for improving education.

As a DE researcher, I believe the individual distance learners' perceptions, as well as their actions, play an important part in the expression of their reality, and that this perceptual knowledge must be integral part of the research. Accordingly, this research study needs to harmonise an interpretative paradigm and a subjective-qualitative inquiry with value mediated results. The methods of gathering data should match those assumptions.

Multiple qualitative research methods situated in naturalistic inquiry and interpretive methodology were used on the advice of Denzin and Lincoln (1994:p.2), who state that “the use of multiple methods, or triangulation, reflects an attempt to secure in depth understanding of the phenomenon in question. Objective reality can never be captured.”

There is a final point to be made in relation to methodology that relates to the issue of `research tradition', since my decision to undertake a qualitative approach in this study was intended to contribute to the popularisation of qualitative research in Malaysia. As noted earlier on, qualitative studies in educational research are very limited in Malaysia, and to date, there has been very little work done using this form of educational inquiry, and none that I could find in the context of distance education. The dominant tradition has followed the positivist paradigm. A qualitative study offers a different approach from educational research in distance learning and generates a range of information of a different quality from that obtained in traditional approaches. Qualitative studies have been well developed and practised in developed countries, but the situation is not the same in developing countries like Malaysia. The research, and consequently this paper, I hope, will contribute to the growing field of qualitative educational research in Malaysia to use a qualitative methodology to study distance education at UUM, and in the country.

The most profound impact in my undertaking of this research that I can take back to Malaysia is the use of qualitative case study as the research methodology, though it is not very popular, in Malaysia. Although case study is hardly a `technique' in its proper sense, it is typical of many qualitative researches and merits further discussion.

The choice of the case is by purposeful selection and not by sampling. Often, cases are outstanding in their own right (Yin, 1984; 1994). The general principle is to have the subjective type of case in mind before the identification of the case. This is very different from the case of sampling where subjective selection is avoided as much as possible.

At the beginning of the research, little was known about the case- distance learning at UUM. The case in this study was selected by simple intuition. I decided to focus on this single case on a very unscientific ground: the UUM DE programme best fitted my picture of a `dual system institution' providing both the conventional campus based education and DE. Such intuitions were inevitable because I was faced with the basic contradiction: if I did not know about what went on within the distance learning experience and environment at UUM, how would I know where to begin?

Researchers of qualitative case study are often confronted by such question. The case study approach in my study enables readers to have a deep understanding of the reality of distance learning from the students' own voice and experience. Such deep understanding in turn enables readers to understand much about what will never be understood by other research strategies about distance learning at the institution.

The question about generalisability implicitly assumes that theories are only built upon statistical inference. It tends to forget that statistics are but one instrument to assist researchers to arrive at theories. Insightful findings case study is a theory in its own, whether or not it is further developed to a theory about more cases. This is true with Piaget's theory of development psychology, which is based on only one case. Piaget's study of his daughter has led the establishment of his entire school of thought about developmental psychology. This is also true with Graham Allison's multiple perspectives about decision making, which comes out of study of one case (Allison, 1971). This is again true with, for example, Phillip Foster's theory of `Vocational education fallacy', which is based only on his knowledge about Ghana.

In this sense, similar situations occur with statistically supported theories. A theory which is well tested over one population does not necessarily apply to another population. In fact, it is a common mistake among researchers to over generalize what is true in one study to another, or in one school to the other, or in one country to other countries.

In addition, qualitative case study findings are rarely generalisable to a population or to other persons, times, or settings than those directly studied. However, it may be recognised that qualitative research `adds' something to statistical research. This `something' may be the meanings, the feelings, and the sense of the lived that cannot be measured and thus drawn into statistical manipulation. Often this `something' is characterised as `depth' in contrast to the `breadth' or the coverage that a quantitative project design supposedly delivers (see Schostak, 2002).

Limited generalisability is the consequence paid for the intensity of the Case Study method. In qualitative research, there are two aspects of generalisability: internal generalisability within the community, group, or institution studied to persons, events, and settings that were not directly observed or interviewed: and external generalisability which refers to other communities, groups, or institutions. Internal generalisability is far more important for qualitative case studies because qualitative researchers rarely make explicit claims about their external generalisability of their accounts (see Maxwell, 1992). This study for example, has made it possible for UUM to better understand her DLs, and in particular, the research findings would allow the institution to reflect and address the shortcomings of its support system that has caused “loneliness” and “isolation” among the learners, and improve the distance educational experiences in the future. Though the number of learners participated in this study is small in numbers, nevertheless, the study was able to allow me as the researcher, and UUM as the interested stakeholder in this study to understand the learners' perspectives and experiences on distance learning at the institution.

Distance learning and qualitative research share the mutual goals of dealing with subjectivity, describing the complexity of lived experience, and appreciating realities where holism and intuition are valued. Qualitative methodology is, therefore, conducive to research that attempts to understand such human experiences as learning at a distance. Yin (1989), in discussing the case-study approach, stated that "the case study allows an investigator to retain the holistic and meaningful characteristics of real-life events…” (p. 14). This description covers the potential range of ways in which the case study approach might be used in researching distance learning or other educational problems and phenomenon. I strongly believe that when the aims of research are understanding, extension of experience, and increase in conviction on what is known, the qualitative study is by far the better choice for a study on distance learning and may prove to produce the strongest data (Merriam, 1988).

The issue therefore remains on the extent to which Case Study can or should address the issue of generalisation. Different scholars (Stake, 1978; Hamilton, 1980, Polanyi, 1958 and Dilthey,1976) and researchers provide strong case for rejecting the traditions of generalisability that are associated with the natural sciences. Many of them argue that traditional ways of thinking about generalisability are inadequate.

Lincoln & Guba (1985, p. 290) talk about transferability which they refer to whether knowledge gained from one context is relevant to or applicable for other contexts, or the same context in another time frame. Transferability assumes a role similar to generalisation. Any transferability is the responsibility of the reader who seeks to make the application of theory elsewhere, and of the original researcher.

Case Study can provide vicarious experiences that other approaches cannot. It offers an opportunity to experience vicariously, unique individuals within our own or another culture. Research on students' learning in my study permits readers to experience vicariously about students undergoing their own learning experience which I have communicated in a narrative portrayal of their experiences. For Schostak (2002), generalisation is produced by the way in which we agree to use language in order to map our world, co-ordinate our behaviour towards each other and to the objects of the world and to account for our actions to each other within it (p. 83).

Nevertheless, this is not to say that the use of case study is always justified. Yin identifies three situations which justify the use of case studies: a critical case to confirm, challenge or extend a well formulated theory; and extreme or unique case which is so rare that it has value of its own; and a revelatory case, which presents an opportunity to reveal what is otherwise inaccessible for researchers (Yin, 1984:42-43).

The use of single cases like my research is almost a general approach in human learning. Medical students understand human bodies by dissecting only one body, or at most a few. Car driving is often learnt on one particular car, and one can then drive any car. The single case adopted in my study allow me to fully understanding the internal relations within the complexity of distance learning reality, and that kind of understanding allows the learners to generalize to other cases, but not in the statistical sense of knowing the pattern across the population. One's learning about one car allows him or her to transfer the knowledge to drive other cars, but would not provide any knowledge of variations over different cars. Similarly, the study on students' perspectives and experiences on distance learning at UUM would allow the transfer of the findings internally to the bigger population of DLs at UUM. Even so, the degree of relatedness between the 12 learners in this study with the bigger UUM students' population varies as DLs are hetregeneous in many ways. They could be similar, or vastly different from each other. On an equal note, the findings, would not provide a base for generalisation to other students' population across different DE providers and institutions as there could be vast similarities and differences between DE systems, courses, and programmes, across the country. It all depends on the degree or relatedness and similarities of circumstances, and the context between the DE experience at UUM and other DE institutions that will dictate for the transfer of knowledge from this study to another.

In the last section, attempts have been made to provide `alternative' or solutions (partly or as a whole) to the intricate issue of generalisation. Stake's (1978), concept of `naturalistic generalisation' and Hamilton's (1980) notion of a `science of singular' refer to evaluation research; and draw heavily on Polanyi's (1958) notion of `personalised were among plausible alternatives that are available. Nevertheless, Michael Bassey's fuzzy generalisation is one that caught my attention the most, and following are my thoughts on Bassey's idea.

Is it always true that ` do X in Y circumstances, and Z may be the case' is always an effect as claimed by Bassey? I object to Basseys' thinking on three accounts, vagueness, the choice of ways to help educational practice, policy and theory, and contradiction on the use of BET. He encourages us to increase attention to generalisations, universals, and away from the particulars of what was actually observed. Bassey suggests that as researchers we are longing to produce predictions, this is an idea that I find difficulty accepting. I feel that prediction is not our business and desire in pursuing a research activity.

In relation to BET, researchers particularly qualitative researchers doing case study projects do not always think about who are going to use the research findings and how useful it may be to them, but rather we are more immerse into understanding the case, and answering to the Who, What and How questions, and not so much on how findings of X can be used by W.

The important aspect here is the function of research and the role of researcher and practioner within it. From the point of view of the researcher, the aim of the research is to analyse a situation in order to understand it better and then to disseminate this new understanding in order that others might share in it. From the view of the practioner however, the aim of the research is to make use of the fresh insight in effecting change in his or her own context. Note that, in the first of these, the aim is the formulation of understanding, whilst in the latter, the aim is the utilisation of understanding. If research merely aims to describe a studied case then an analysis of what happened to the practioner suffices. However, if it aims to offer the opportunity for practioners to change their practice as a result of understanding the studied case, then it seems sensible for the research to present the analysis in a form that emphasises the action that may be taken to facilitate that change. Indeed, this is what Bassey (1999:p.52) seems really to be proposing:

This paper, however, suggest that Bassey's idea lacks the motivational component on the readers part. Invitation `to try' does not always been made explicitly and implicitly to readers. Rather, realisation of what can or cannot be used, or whether do X, and that will lead to Z' are very circumstantial. At the end of the day, a particular research may not at all be beneficial to a reader because the research and its findings are just not related and share no similar circumstances. It is all a matter of `relevance' of one study to what a reader thinks to be beneficial, replicable, and may help to improve their institutions. If that is the case, then why don't us-researchers allow the readers to make generalisation? Why not give the readers, the power to generalize?

A research for that matter cannot easily impose change on others. It may help to suggest or negotiate for improvements within the research setting. My research on distance learning at UUM for example helps the institution to listen to the learners' voice and experience on the distance learning program. Such understanding in turn helps UUM perhaps to look at issues surfaced and make necessary changes to improve the educational experience of distance learners at UUM. However, as noted earlier on, it is important to note that the findings of my research may or may not be relevant to other DE providers and institutions in Malaysia. Some of the findings in my study may be generalisable internally within UUM, but not externally to distance learners at other DE institutions. I believe the power of extending the internal to external generalisation is not within the reach of any researchers. It is however, the power posses by the readers. They know best on which research & findings that are related or not related, usable or not applicable to them. It is then only natural to allow them (the readers) to make generalisations based on the simple premise of relatability:

The key concept here is the word `related'. Relatedness is a prerequisite for any generalisations to take place. Understanding the concept, and most important of all, understanding the semantic of the word related only does one thing-It allows the reader to ask the basic question of: Is this research and its findings related to his or her interest?, Circumstances?, Institutions?, and Is it applicable, transferable? These basic questions ultimately will help the reader to benefit or discard it as being not related and applicable to them.

This concept of relatability evolved in my attempt to steer away from science, to steer away from grand generalisation all together. Rather than the researcher making generalisations based on the findings surfaced in a particular study, why not leave the act of making the grand generalisation to the readers or other researchers. If the findings are related to the a particular organization, setting or circumstances say `Y', than the findings surfaced `may be related to Y `; the reader, other researcher(s) may then apply the findings to their situation.

The concept of relatability entails the degree of relatedness on whether knowledge gained from one context is relevant to or applicable for other contexts, or the same context in another time frame. It assumes a role similar to generalisation. The act of making generalisation is the responsibility of the reader who seeks to make the application of theory elsewhere, and of the original researcher.

Qualitative research which is commonly criticized for its lack of generalisability has many potentials in making valuable contributions to the field of education despite resistance. Based on my own experience and perspective conducting research in distance learning, I strongly acknowledge the importance of case studies in qualitative research, and believe that it contributes to knowledge and promotes action in the area of the circumstance studied. As advanced by Kuhn (1970), there is more than one way of knowing, and conducting case study in qualitative research is one such way. So researchers rise, let's particularize more and generalize less. Let us liberate ourselves from worrying too much on the issue of generalisation, and transfer that act of generalizing and making generalisation to the readers. After all, the concept of relatability is an approach to transforming research knowledge into a form which can readily enter the professional discourse through which educators, researchers, practioners `may' enhance their craft knowledge of teaching and so improve the learning of the their learners. It is you the `readers' not the researcher that make the generalisation call!