ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors focus on methods to enhance the realism of research—namely, through field experiments, experiments in-the-field, and field data. They also focus on how to select the best methods to increase external validity and generalizability. However, the use of secondary and archival data can provide excellent additional data that enhance the generalizability of a theory by demonstrating its presence in the field. Observational data offer externally valid data in a manner that is more accessible and, oftentimes, less time- and labor-intensive than a field experiment. Laboratory experiments can also be purposefully designed to increase external validity, namely, by using more realistic independent variables and dependent variables. In quasi-experiments, researchers test a hypothesis by manipulating a variable and measuring its effect. Field experiments are one great approach to enhancing impact but are often difficult and time consuming.
