How well a study's findings apply beyond the sample studied.
Generalizability (also called external validity) refers to the extent to which results from a study's sample can be extended to other populations, settings, or conditions not directly tested. It depends on factors like how representative the sample was, the context of the intervention, and whether the outcome measures translate to real-world practice. Clinicians should weigh generalizability against internal validity: a tightly controlled trial may have strong internal validity but limited applicability to a different patient group.
This guide was auto-drafted and is pending editorial review.