Overgeneralization occurs when conclusions drawn from a specific study, sample, or dataset are unjustifiably extended to broader populations, settings, or conditions without sufficient evidence.
Characteristics
Applying results from a small, non-representative, or highly selective sample to the general population
Assuming findings from one disease, subtype, or demographic are valid for all others
Ignoring contextual limitations such as duration, comorbidities, or clinical setting
Examples in Clinical Research
Claiming that a treatment tested in 40 young adults is effective “for all tinnitus patients”
Generalizing results from a single center or region to global clinical practice
Extending short-term outcome improvements to long-term prognoses without follow-up data
Why It Matters
Leads to misapplication of therapies in inappropriate patients
Undermines external validity (generalizability) of clinical research
Contributes to misleading clinical guidelines or practice changes based on insufficient scope
Red Flags
Small or homogeneous sample size with broad conclusions
Lack of subgroup analysis or demographic stratification
Absence of discussion on limitations or generalizability