external validity

External validity refers to questions about whether the findings of a study can be generalized to other contexts. For example, an experimental evaluation of a program which depended heavily on the enthusiasm of teachers in a single school would be difficult to replicate elsewhere. External validity is closely related to the concept of ecological validity which relates more to the relevance to real world settings of laboratory findings.

Upcoming Events

Fulfilling potential: better outcomes for all children (Dartington-i Seminar Series, September 2008)
17 Sep 2008 - 19 Sep 2008
The Royal Commonwealth Club, London, UK
Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Biennial Meeting 2009
2 Apr 2009 - 4 Apr 2009
Denver, Colorado, United States
XIV European Conference on Developmental Psychology
18 Aug 2009 - 22 Aug 2009
Vilnius, Lithuania
ISPCAN Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect 2009
15 Nov 2009 - 18 Nov 2009
Perth, Australia
Society for Research on Adolescence Biennial Meeting 2010
11 Mar 2010 - 13 Mar 2010
Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Philadelphia, PA
Society for Research in Child Development Biennial Meeting 2011
31 Mar 2011 - 2 Apr 2011
Montreal, Canada

Comment : How to be sure the song remains the same

Why is promoting fidelity in the implementation of evidence-based prevention programs like singing an Irish ballad? The policy co-ordinator at Penn State’s Prevention Research Center, Brian Bumbarger, explains the connection between the oral tradition and effective practice.

Research : Mood studies are food for more thought

There is tantalizing evidence that we are not only physically and mentally affected by what we eat but that we might also be drawn towards certain foods according to our state of mind – and body.

Research : Growing up in the Age of Terrorism

Philadelphia researchers argue that so extreme has been the emotional climate generated by the US administration's preoccupation with a war on terror that investigation is warranted into the effects on young people of what they call “secondhand terrorism”.