ABSTRACT
In chapter 22 of this volume, Michael Shapiro and Jorge Peña aptly highlight the challenges present in the research on digital games and note the potential problems associated with the statistical defi nition of generalizability (i.e., external validity). They suggest a simple, broad defi nition of generalizability that it is “the ability to say something beyond the particular.” We argue, however, that the statistical approach to generalizability is essential for experimental game studies and also for surveys. The peculiar characteristics of digital games infl uence generalizability, and this should be taken into account when designing game research studies. In this chapter, we look deeper and focus on internal validity, external validity, the validity of measures (e.g., psychophysiological measures), and the ecological validity used in experimental game research.
