Generalisation

Applying findings from a sample to the wider target population.

Ideally, the sample is representative: it reflects the relevant characteristics of the target population. This supports generalisation, which means applying the findings from the sample to the wider population. A sample containing only one age group may be suitable for research about that age group, but poorly suited to research about people of all ages.

Applying findings from a sample to the wider population it is intended to represent.

Apply evaluation to the study. Explain which people might be under-represented and why this limits generalisation.

When evaluating a sample, name the target population, identify which relevant groups are missing or over-represented, and explain how this limits generalisation.

Link each evaluation point to its consequence: a small sample allows detailed study, but limits generalisation to the wider population.

Applying findings from the people studied to other people or the wider population.

Definition

How each exam board covers it

AQA GCSE Psychology · 8182

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OCR GCSE Psychology · J203