Case studies and generalization in information systems research: A critical realist perspective

• This article presents a critical realist view of generalizing from case findings.
• It compares the critical realist view with those of interpretivism and positivism.
• It discusses empirical generalization, theoretical generalization, and theory testing.
• Critical realism recognizes case studies for the above aspects of generalization.
• Interpretivism and positivism only recognize theoretical generalization.

The status of case study research as a legitimate scientific method in IS research is often challenged by the view that case findings are not readily generalizable. Positivist and interpretivist perspectives have typically dominated discussions of this important methodological issue. I provide an alternative perspective by presenting a critical realist view of generalizing from case findings. I show that critical realism represents a very different view than either positivism or interpretivism. Critical realism recognizes the role of case study research in empirical generalization, theoretical generalization, and theory testing. In contrast, the role of case study research in empirical generalization and theory testing is either ignored or neglected by interpretivism and positivism. Embracing critical realism would therefore enable researchers to more fully explore the potential for case finding generalization.