An assessment of validity in entrepreneurship research

Abstract

Based on an analysis of empirical articles published in the highest-rated academic journals between 1999 and 2003, we examined the current state of entrepreneurship research in terms of its validity. We collected 275 relevant publications in order to explore the entrepreneurship field with respect to internal validity, external validity, construct validity and statistical conclusion validity. Our aim was to gain insight into the dominant methodological and statistical practices that currently shape the field, shed light on possible gaps and compare these observations with the findings in general management literature. We found that entrepreneurship studies are mainly cross-sectional using surveys or field study as methods, emphasising external validity. Entrepreneurship research could benefit from more triangulation in research strategies, more advanced analytical techniques and methodologies, and from more longitudinal research resulting in higher validity levels. However, a positive trend towards more longitudinal research and triangulation in data sources is already visible.