Generalizability

The extent to which findings in one setting can be safely applied, related, or extrapolated to other contexts, populations, or settings.

Generalization

An inference made inductively about a whole category based upon exposure to a limited component of that category.

A generalization is a claim or statement about the properties or features common to some portion or all members of a class, group, or collection of objects, people, or situations. An acceptable generalization is one which involves a large enough sample typical of the relevant population on the aspect of interest to warrant the particular inference.

Empirical generalization:  based upon observation or induction.

Statistical generalization: applying to some or a certain percentage of cases.

Universal generalization: applying to all cases, so: "All As with B have C"

"No As of B do C".

(see also: Representativeness, variability)

Back to: Glossary A-C, Glossary D-H, Glossary I-P, Glossary Q-S, Glossary T-Z

Glossary of selected Judgement & Decision-making, Belief-related, and other Psychology terms A-Z »