How do you enhance the external validity of your case studies?

1 What is external validity?

External validity refers to the extent to which the findings of a case study can be generalized to other situations, settings, or populations. It is also known as transferability, applicability, or ecological validity. External validity is important because it shows how relevant and useful your case study is for other researchers, practitioners, or policymakers who want to apply or test your results in different contexts.

2 Why is external validity challenging for case studies?

One of the main challenges for external validity in case studies is the issue of representativeness. Case studies typically focus on a single or a few cases that are selected for their uniqueness, complexity, or richness. This means that they may not be representative of the larger population or phenomenon that they aim to study. Moreover, case studies often involve multiple sources of data, such as interviews, observations, documents, or artifacts, that are analyzed in a holistic and interpretive way. This means that they may not be replicable or comparable with other studies that use different data, methods, or perspectives.

3 How do you enhance external validity in case studies?

There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to improving the external validity of case studies. Nevertheless, several strategies can be employed to achieve this. For instance, using a consistent theoretical framework can help establish the logic and rationale of the case study and how it relates to existing theories. Additionally, multiple cases or units of analysis within a single case can broaden the scope and diversity of the data, while purposive sampling can ensure that the cases or units are relevant and informative enough. Triangulation can also be used to combine different sources of data, methods of data collection, and perspectives for data analysis. Thick description should be employed to provide detailed accounts of cases or units, their contexts, and the data and findings. Finally, reflexivity should be used to acknowledge and address any assumptions, values, and biases that may influence data collection and analysis.

4 How do you communicate external validity in case studies?

To effectively enhance the external validity of a case study, it is important to communicate it to the intended audience. A clear and concise title should be used to summarize the main focus and contribution of the case study. An abstract or executive summary should also be included to provide an overview of research questions, methods, data, findings, and implications. Additionally, a literature review should be used to show how the case study fits into existing knowledge and theories in the field. Finally, a discussion or conclusion should be included to discuss limitations, implications, and recommendations of the case study. This will help acknowledge the strengths and weaknesses of the case study and how it can be applied in other contexts.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?