Generalization

Generalization is another powerful characteristic that takes comments or data already presented and extracts new information or knowledge that applies to a broader set of conditions. Even though such generalizations must be carefully tested for their truth, they do offer a positive step in the knowledge-building process. Generalizations are very thought provoking because they immediately challenge the reader to search for counter-examples. .

Examples

"China has a population of 1.3 billion people. If every Chinese family (approximately 20 million families) had an SUV and drove it 10,000 miles per year, I calculated that the global consumption of gasoline would increase by ..."

"I read (http...) that fruit trees in one county in Michigan are, on average, flowering 10 days earlier than they did 100 years ago and that lakes are becoming ice free 15 days earlier. From a chart of average daily temperatures (http...) I estimated that this means spring temperatures have increased by about 4 degrees F in the last 100 years in this county. But I also read that the average temperature across the US has increased by only about 1 degree F in the last 100 years. Can anyone help me reconcile this generalization?"