Integrated Validation Framework for Educational Module Development (IVF-EMD): A Systematic Evidence Synthesis of Validation Practices and Methodological Gaps

Educational module development increasingly incorporates multiple validation procedures, yet the extent to which these practices are integrated across the developmental lifecycle remains unclear. This study conducted a systematic evidence synthesis of 51 educational development and related validation studies to examine validation practices, identify methodological gaps, and develop an integrated validation architecture. Evidence was synthesised across nine components: needs analysis, expert validation, content validity, face validity, pilot testing, reliability, usability, implementation, and effectiveness. Frequency, validation-sequence, and completeness analyses revealed substantial methodological fragmentation. Although needs analysis (98.0%), expert validation (78.4%), and content validity (72.5%) were widely reported, strict cumulative coverage declined progressively across broader validation requirements, with only four studies (7.8%) reporting all nine components. The synthesis further identified gaps in user-centred validation, reliability evidence, and integration between product- and field-level validation. Based on these findings, the Integrated Validation Framework for Educational Module Development (IVF-EMD) is proposed, organising the nine components into four interconnected domains: Foundation Validation, Design Validation, Product Validation, and Field Validation. IVF-EMD conceptualises validation as a progressive, multi-source, and iterative evidence-building process rather than a discrete or checklist-based procedure. The framework complements existing development models by aligning validation evidence with developmental maturity and intended claims. Further empirical validation is required to establish its usability, applicability, and methodological utility across educational contexts.