Which of the following statements about external validity is TRUE?
A) External validity is best thought of as a characteristic of a set of findings or of a theory, not of an individual study.
B) The results of research conducted in field settings are, by their nature, more generalizable than the results of laboratory research.
C) It is not possible to empirically test the generalizability of a set of research findings.
D) The three aspects of external validity (structural, functional, and conceptual) are unrelated to one another.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

External validity is concerned with the generalizability of research findings beyond the specific study and should be assessed at the level of a set of findings or a theory. It is not a property of an individual study.

B is incorrect because the generalizability of research findings depends on several factors, including the representativeness of the sample and the similarity of the tasks and conditions to those found in the real world. These factors can be present in both laboratory and field settings.

C is incorrect because the generalizability of research findings can be empirically tested through meta-analyses, cross-cultural studies, and replication studies in different populations or contexts.

D is incorrect because the three aspects of external validity are related and interdependent. Structural validity concerns the extent to which the study design and procedures match real-world conditions, functional validity relates to the similarity of the psychological processes and mechanisms being investigated, and conceptual validity pertains to the broader theoretical relevance and applicability of the findings.

Which of the Following Statements About External Validity Is TRUE