generaliserbare

Generaliserbare is an adjective used in several Germanic languages to describe statements, models, or conclusions that can extend beyond the original case or data set. In English, the closest equivalent is generalizable. The term emphasizes that the result’s applicability extends to other populations, settings, or times, rather than being limited to the exact sample studied.

Linguistic note: related spellings include generaliseerbaar (Dutch), generalisierbar or generaliserbar (German and other varieties), and generaliserbar in some Nordic languages. The exact form depends on language and syntax, but the core idea remains the same: the possibility of generalization.

In research and philosophy, generaliserbare conclusions are evaluated in terms of external validity, transportability, and replicability. Researchers seek to demonstrate that effects persist across contexts, while acknowledging limitations such as sampling bias, measurement differences, and cultural factors that may constrain generalization.

Strategies to enhance generaliserability include using diverse and representative samples, conducting replication studies, performing cross-context or cross-cultural analyses, preregistration and transparent reporting, and meta-analysis to synthesize findings across studies.

Generaliserbare should not be confused with universal statements; generalisation aims for applicability to broader, but not necessarily all, cases. It remains a guiding principle rather than an absolute claim.

See also: generalization, external validity, transportability, cross-cultural generalizability, replication.