The extent to which the findings of a study can be applied to other populations is known as what?

The concept that refers to the extent to which the findings of a study can be generalized to or applied across different populations is known as external validity. When a study demonstrates high external validity, it indicates that the results are applicable not only to the specific group studied but also to other groups or settings. This is essential in research because it allows for the findings to have broader implications and relevance beyond the original sample.

In contrast, internal validity focuses on the accuracy and rigor of the study's design and whether the results can be attributed to the intervention or treatment itself, rather than confounding variables. Construct validity examines whether a test or tool accurately measures the theoretical concept it is intended to measure. Statistical validity deals with the appropriateness of the statistical tests used in the study and whether the conclusions drawn from the data are sound based on statistical analysis. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why external validity is specifically related to the applicability of results.