For instance, in clinical trials, a study with good external validity would involve hospitalized patients and would reveal results that can be applied to the general population near the same hospital. One of the good methods is to implement strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, especially in medical settings. Therefore, external validity must be agreed upon by experts. Note that external validity is a complex concept that can’t be measured in a single statistical analysis. In other words, external validity reveals if research outcomes apply to everyday life and the general population.
From creating appropriate items to computing statistical analyses, ensuring validity is vital.Īlthough the definition of validity has undergone many modifications, there are two types of validity: external and internal both being crucial factors to consider.Įxternal Validity: Aim for GeneralizabilityĮxternal validity is known as generalizability or the extent to which scientific findings can be applied to other settings rather than the ones tested.
