Ecological validity

The degree to which research findings from controlled laboratory settings accurately reflect behaviour and performance in real-world everyday contexts. In accessibility research, ecological validity is a critical concern because laboratory conditions — structured tasks, quiet environments, undivided attention — often do not represent the conditions under which people with disabilities actually use technology. Studies have shown significant differences between lab and field performance for blind touchscreen typing, with users being faster but less accurate in everyday use, highlighting the need for in-the-wild studies alongside controlled evaluations.