
External validity
External validity refers to the extent to which findings from a study can be applied to or have relevance in real-world settings beyond the specific conditions of the study. It examines whether the results can be generalized to different populations, environments, or times. For example, if a research study is conducted on a small group of college students, the question of external validity asks whether those results can also be true for high school students or older adults in various regions. High external validity means the study's conclusions are more broadly applicable and useful.
Additional Insights
-
External validity refers to the extent to which research findings can be generalized beyond the specific conditions of a study. In other words, it asks whether the results of an experiment apply to real-world situations, different populations, or various settings. A study with high external validity offers conclusions that can be reliably predicted in other contexts, while a study with low external validity may only be relevant to the specific circumstances in which it was conducted. Understanding external validity helps us assess the broader significance of research findings.