In research, generalizability refers to the extent to which the findings of a study can be applied to other settings, people, or situations beyond the specific sample and conditions of the original study. A study with high generalizability provides results that are relevant not just to the study’s sample, but to the broader population of interest.
Generalizability is closely tied to the concept of external validity, which concerns whether the conclusions drawn from a study hold true outside the context in which the data were collected. If a study has strong external validity, its results are considered generalizable.
Several factors influence generalizability:
- Increases generalizability: using random sampling, having a large and diverse sample, and conducting the study in real-world or varied settings that resemble the population of interest.
- Decreases generalizability: relying on non-random samples, studying narrow or highly specific groups, or using artificial or controlled environments that differ from everyday conditions.
Researchers aim for a balance—ensuring internal validity while also designing studies that yield insights applicable to the real world. When generalizability is low, the findings must be interpreted cautiously and limited to the specific sample or context studied.
« Back to Glossary Index