Which type of validity is concerned with generalizing findings from one setting to another?

The correct answer, external validity, refers to the degree to which the results of a study can be generalized to and across other settings, populations, and times. This type of validity is crucial because it determines whether the findings from a specific experiment can be applied more broadly beyond the specific conditions under which the research was conducted. For example, if a study on a particular therapeutic technique is conducted in a clinical setting, external validity assesses whether the results would hold true in a different clinic, with a different population, or in a different geographic location.

External validity encompasses various aspects, including ecological validity (real-world applicability) and population validity (whether results can be generalized to other groups). It is essential for researchers to demonstrate that their findings are not limited to just the sample or condition tested but have relevance in a wider context.

Temporal validity, on the other hand, focuses specifically on generalizing findings across different time periods. Internal validity pertains to the extent to which a study accurately establishes a causal relationship between variables, free from confounding factors. Face validity is more about whether a test appears to measure what it is supposed to measure, based on subjective judgment, rather than a robust assessment of its applicability beyond the study parameters.