What is external validity?

External validity refers to the extent to which the findings of a study can be generalized beyond the specific context or conditions of the research. It assesses whether the results of the study apply to other settings, populations, or times, essentially bridging the gap between the research environment and real-world applications.

In this context, a study with high external validity would demonstrate that its findings are relevant and applicable to situations that were not explicitly tested, allowing researchers and practitioners to use the results to inform their decisions in various real-world scenarios.

Understanding external validity is crucial for researchers, as it helps to determine the usefulness of their findings in practical settings outside of the controlled study environment.