Internal and external validity in experimental games: A social reality check

Jackson, Cecile (2012) Internal and external validity in experimental games: A social reality check. European Journal of Development Research, 24. pp. 71-88. ISSN 0957-8811

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Abstract

The relevance of experimental games as methods in development research depends crucially on how far the results from the games can be extrapolated to real life, that is, the external validity of those results. The extent to which external validity matters depends on what you want to do with the data; some kinds of theory testing can arguably afford indifference, but many experiments are used as an indicator of behaviour in everyday life. This article takes an anthropological perspective on both the internal and external validity of social preference experiments in developing country settings, and argues for more cautious knowledge claims, triangulation of data and a broader conceptualisation of norms and behaviour.

Item Type: Article
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Global Development (formerly School of International Development)
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Gender and Development
Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Experimental Economics (former - to 2017)
Depositing User: Abigail Dalgleish
Date Deposited: 14 Apr 2011 12:12
Last Modified: 11 Aug 2023 13:30
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/29326
DOI: 10.1057/ejdr.2011.47

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