ABSTRACT
Validation studies typically address focal issues by determining the accuracy of the predictions that the research models are designed to address. It is the prevalent form of validation in the natural sciences; however, focal validation does not suffice for social models. Social science models exist within a space that is complex, highdimensional and contextually dynamic. Contextual factors that may appear to be tangential to the model will determine its salience, robustness and applicability. The present paper defines contextual validation, including its epistemic foundation, and provides several examples of how it may be applied.
