The term textual generalisation is not new in academic writing. Analytical writing often uses methods for summarising the findings. In easy words, it is the summary of important stats, texts, figures, and numbers. There are no tables, or figures used for generalising the texts. Rather it is a textual summary of the findings in a numeral or descriptive form. Authors use their experience of reading, analysing, and arguments on the topic.
The general attributes of text generalisation are as follows;
- It summarises the key findings in simple words.
- Content of several examples regarding the concept having similar facts.
- The numerical data of cohorts is also generalised in terms.
- Descriptive data is also generalised in similarities of facts.
- It does not use the deductive, inference, or interpretation based approach.
- It does not contain recommendations of the papers.
- No presentation of tables, figures, or smart arts is present.
- It contains critical part of the research.
- It should not contain any new information, or facts.
- The tone of writing should be analytical, not descriptive.
Most often, technical writing uses text generalisation as an argumentative tool. And dissertation writing can also get quality content by this method. The common name of text generalisation is conclusion. Usually, a conclusion is at the end of the dissertation.
This article explains what text generalisation is, and how it can be used when working on dissertation writing. Text generalisation in the dissertation can follow a structure based on any of the following;
- Summary of Purpose
- Problem
- Method
- Analysis
- Findings
Summary of purpose
Purpose of the study is an important section. This is because the dissertation’s purpose is extensively reflected within the method. So text generalisation should sue summary regarding main process of the method. For example generalisation of the equipment, or machinery. Software, qualitative tools, and other analytical approaches should also be generalised. In the dissertation, you can give a generation of text regarding rationale, and aim of the study. These parts are often at the end of introduction section.
Summary of the problem
The dissertation contains a research problem for developing hypotheses, and research questions. Text generalisation starts with identifying the problem. It will contain a few lines about background of the topic. Tone of the background will be analytical, as analysed by the reader after research. The background text should also link to the current study’s implications. It gives a complete view of the dissertation process from beginning to end.
Summary of the method
Text summary of the dissertation should highlight the methods, and analytical tools. Evidence-based studies help in generalising the processes of methods. The analytical tools are also available in the literature that help in deducing the text. For example, thematic analysis of the qualitative research helps in building narratives. There can be more than one type of data collection, and analysis tool for research. Generalisation would establish the role of specific methods. Whereas other methods of data collection and analysis will have different effects.
Summary of the findings
The findings are in different forms, and are displayed in the results section. It is often in the form of tables, figures, statistics, and text. It is difficult to find the main ideas in extensive statistical analysis, and deductive reasoning. Text generalisation identifies the main facts, stats, narratives, and interpretations. Retrieved information also provides textual generalisation. It holds the information of variations within the population. Its review can also provide the research gaps, and limitations.
It is also related to the concepts of external validity. In short, the findings of this study also have similar aspe犀利士
cts with regards to other contexts, and subjects. The generalisation of findings also implies that it has evidential support. In qualitative studies, it contacts the generalised text of descriptive findings. In quantitative studies, aspects like ‘significant’, and ‘positive’ give out statistical information. It can also contain the main numerical digits of extensive analysis.
Concise information
The tone of writing should be concise, and to the point. Avoid any extensive information in dissertation text generalisation aspect. The idea presented within generalisation should be applicable in diverse cases. This means that other researchers can also find similar findings by using the said research. Explanatory information will lose the terms of generalisation. Whereas new information is not introduced within this section. The ideas, and terms should be already explained in the previous texts. This is because readers look into the summary, and generalised texts at first for getting an idea of finding information.
Criticism of the text generalisation
Some scholars argue the validity of content in the aspect of text generalisation. The reason for criticism is the functioning of variables. As variables might behave differently in variable situations. This variable behaviour can also effect the nature of outcomes. The variables might be the participants, treatments, and measurements. The settings of trials, and working environment also affect the outcomes. Some scholars also argue that a limited number of researchers on the topic can also affect it. As the idea will not have the support of enough evidence based studies.
Language of text generalisation
Clarity of language is very important in terms of dissertation writing. This is because a dissertation contains several aspects of the research. It explains positive, and negative aspects of the study as well. While generalising the statements, cumulative words are better to use. Because such words give a whole meaning without any ambiguity. For example, ‘compete’, ‘contradiction’, ‘significant’, and ‘dismiss’. It will give the reader a clear understanding of the research work. At the same time, the research will also gain credibility, and acceptance among the scholars of that field.
Conclusion
In conclusion, text generalisation is an important tool in the domain of dissertation writing. This is because it promotes the clarity, and significance of the information. The content contains main factual information. It avoids the extensive accessory details as well. This aspect is of great importance in the context of research.
