Are the Research Findings Applicable?

Trust and Applicability of Research Findings: An Organizing Structure

Are the Research Findings Applicable?

For experimental, quasi-experimental, and survey research, generalizability of research findings is an important goal. The research designs used for these studies prescribe sampling procedures and the use of inferential statistics with the intention of generalizing the results from the study sample to a larger target population. As previously mentioned, although generalizability is not considered a goal of qualitative research, or the goal of all quantitative research, for research to be valuable to and used by practitioners, it needs some degree of applicability. Specific strategies to support applicability are presented in Table 2.

For both quantitative and qualitative research, sampling plays an important role in applicability. Were study participants and the study site or sites the "right" ones for the study in terms of alignment with study purpose and questions; and in particular, in terms of representativeness for quantitative studies? Were enough participants included for appropriate statistical analysis for quantitative research and for data saturation for qualitative research?

Table 2

Strategies to Support Applicability of Research Findings

Quantitative and Qualitative Provide a clear description of the study participants and setting/context. Provide a clear description of all variables/phenomena of interest that are part of

the study. Include the results of other, similar or related studies as part of literature review

and/or interpretation of results in the context of existing literature. Include multiple sites and/or groups in the study.

Quantitative Use a sufficiently large sample from

the target population. Use a random sample or

representative sample from the target population.

Qualitative Use a purposive sample that

maximizes the relevance of data collected. Use an adequate sample for saturation. Facilitate naturalistic generalization.

This work by Tamara M. Walser is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit .

Trust and Applicability of Research Findings: An Organizing Structure

Note: Facilitating naturalistic generalization can also support applicability of quantitative research findings. By providing more description than is commonly found in quantitative studies, researchers can facilitate linkages and resonance to the personal experiences and situations of their audiences. In studies where statistical generalizability is a goal, supporting naturalistic generalization can increase applicability; in studies where statistical generalizability is not a goal, supporting naturalistic generalization can contribute to applicability.

This work by Tamara M. Walser is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit .

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