A researcher finds that in a laboratory a meditation session decreases anxiety scores of college students.The researcher wonders whether the meditation session would decrease anxiety in clients diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.This researcher is considering the ____ of the findings.
A)external validity
B)internal validity
C)reliability
D)accuracy

Question

A researcher finds that in a laboratory a meditation session decreases anxiety scores of college students.The researcher wonders whether the meditation session would decrease anxiety in clients diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.This researcher is considering the ____ of the findings.​
A)​external validity
B)​internal validity
C)reliability
D)​accuracy

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

External validity refers to the extent to which the findings of a study can be generalized to other populations, settings, and situations. In this scenario, the researcher is considering whether the findings from a laboratory setting with college students can be applied to clients diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, which involves the external validity of the findings. Internal validity, on the other hand, refers to the extent to which the study results reflect the true causal relationship between the variables of interest, and reliability refers to the consistency of the measurement tool or procedure. Accuracy is a broad term that can refer to the correctness or truthfulness of different aspects of the research process or findings.

A Researcher Finds That in a Laboratory a Meditation Session