Considering Social Validity in Special Education Research

Abstract

The purpose of this paper, which is part of a special “research-to-practice” series aimed at introducing key concepts needed to be informed research consumers, is to explore how social validity is assessed in special education and how to interpret and apply social validity assessments. Rather than focus on measuring effects of intervention, social validity involves assessing the social importance of the goals, procedures, and outcomes of instructional interventions and programs. In this paper, we define social validity, provide questions to consider when examining assessments of social validity in research papers, review approaches commonly used to assess social validity with examples from the research literature, and make recommendations for reconciling findings of positive intervention effects on targeted outcomes but absent or negative findings related to social validity in a study. Our take-home message is that considering social validity assessments helps research consumers interpret study findings and informs how to apply findings regarding intervention effectiveness.