Examining the generalizability of research findings from archival data

Generalizability Tests Forecasting Collaboration

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Abstract

This initiative examined systematically the extent to which a large set of archival research findings generalizes across contexts. We repeated the key analyses for 29 original strategic management effects in the same context (direct reproduction) as well as in 52 novel time periods and geographies; 45% of the reproductions returned results matching the original reports together with 55% of tests in different spans of years and 40% of tests in novel geographies. Some original findings were associated with multiple new tests. Reproducibility was the best predictor of generalizability—for the findings that proved directly reproducible, 84% emerged in other available time periods and 57% emerged in other geographies. Overall, only limited empirical evidence emerged for context sensitivity. In a forecasting survey, independent scientists were able to anticipate which effects would find support in tests in new samples.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere2120377119
Number of pages9
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Volume119
Issue number30
Early online date19 Jul 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 26 Jul 2022

Bibliographical note

Dr Greg Woodin and Dr Mahmoud Elsherif are members of Generalizability Tests Forecasting Collaboration and this information is found in supplementary materials.

Keywords

  • archival data
  • context sensitivity
  • generalizability
  • reproducibility
  • research reliability

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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