Internal validity in rehabilitation research

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Cook, Lysandra | Rumrill, Jr., Phillip D.

Affiliations: University of Hawaii at Manoa, College of Education, Department of Special Education, 1776 University Avenue, Wist Hall 120, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA. Tel.: +1 808 956 7956; Fax: +1 808 956 4345; E-mail: [email protected] | Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA

Note: [] Corresponding author.

Abstract: In experimental research, internal validity is the extent to which the researcher can conclude that the manipulation of the independent variable caused change in the dependent variable. Without causal inference, researchers and research consumers would not be able to meaningfully interpret the results of experiments. This article discusses (a) threats to internal validity in rehabilitation research an (b) experimental procedures that can aid rehabilitation researchers in maximizing the internal validity of their investigations.

Keywords: Internal validity, research design, experimentation

Journal: Work, vol. 25, no. 3, pp. 279-283, 2005