Chapter 14 - Generalizing Results

Question 1

Compare and contrast internal and external validity

Answer 1

Internal Validity: the degree to which a study or experiment is free from flaws in its internal structure and its results can therefore be taken to represent the true nature of the phenomenon.
Internal validity pertains to the soundness of results obtained within the conditions of a particular study, specifically with respect to whether one can draw reasonable conclusions about cause-and-effect relationships among variables.

External Validity: the extent to which the results of research or testing can be generalized beyond the sample that generated them.
The more specialized the sample, the less likely will it be that the results are highly generalizable to other individuals, situations, and time periods.

Question 2

Describe five participant factors that pose challenges to generalizing results

Answer 2

• Self-selection bias
• Age
• Gender/Sex
• Socio-economics
• Culture

Question 3

Describe three experimental factors that poses challenges to generalizing results

Answer 3

• Experimenter Effects
• Order Effects
• External Validity

Question 4

Propose three solutions for challenges to generalizing results