Research Design And Methods Questions
Internal validity refers to the extent to which a research study accurately measures what it intends to measure and establishes a causal relationship between the variables being studied. It focuses on the study's internal factors, such as the research design, methodology, and data collection process. In other words, internal validity ensures that the study's findings are valid within the context of the research itself.
On the other hand, external validity refers to the generalizability of the study's findings beyond the specific research context. It assesses whether the results can be applied to other populations, settings, or situations. External validity is concerned with the study's ability to provide meaningful insights and conclusions that can be applied to real-world scenarios.
In summary, internal validity focuses on the accuracy and reliability of the study's findings within its own framework, while external validity examines the extent to which those findings can be generalized to other contexts.