Glossaries
External Validity
What is External Validity in User Research?
External validity in user research refers to the extent to which the findings from a study can be generalized or applied to other contexts, populations, or settings beyond the specific conditions of the original research.
Synonyms: Generalizability, Ecological validity, Transferability, Applicability
Why External Validity is Important in User Research
External validity is crucial in user research because it determines how applicable your findings are to real-world scenarios. When your research has high external validity, you can confidently apply insights to broader user groups and contexts, leading to more effective product design and user experience improvements.
How to Improve External Validity in User Research
To enhance external validity in your user research:
- Use diverse participant samples
- Conduct studies in realistic settings
- Replicate studies across different contexts
- Consider long-term effects
- Combine multiple research methods
By implementing these strategies, you can increase the generalizability of your findings and make more informed decisions about user needs and preferences.
Examples of External Validity in User Research
- A usability test conducted with a diverse group of users from different age groups, professions, and tech-savviness levels.
- A longitudinal study that tracks user behavior across multiple devices and contexts over an extended period.
- A series of A/B tests performed across different geographic regions to account for cultural variations.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What's the difference between internal and external validity?: Internal validity focuses on the accuracy of the study within its specific context, while external validity concerns how well the findings apply to other situations.
- Can a study have high internal validity but low external validity?: Yes, a study can be very well-controlled (high internal validity) but have limited applicability to real-world scenarios (low external validity).
- How does sample size affect external validity?: Generally, larger and more diverse samples improve external validity, as they are more likely to represent the broader population.
- Is external validity always necessary in user research?: While external validity is important, some studies may prioritize internal validity or focus on specific user groups, making high external validity less critical.