Ecological validity

/ˌiː.kəˈlɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl vəˈlɪd.ɪ.ti/ noun

Definition

The degree to which research findings can be generalized to real-world settings and everyday life situations.

Etymology

From Greek 'oikologia' (household management) + Latin 'validitas' (strength). How valid findings are in the real ecosystem of life.

Kelly Says

Ecological validity asks 'Does this lab finding actually apply to real life?' A memory test in a quiet lab might not predict how you remember things in a noisy classroom!

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