UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

External validity refers to how far the conclusions drawn from a specific study can be applied beyond the particular participants, conditions and time frame of that study. It addresses questions such as whether results would hold in different institutions, regions or age groups. High external validity increases the practical usefulness of research findings for policy and practice. Since the stem focuses on generalisation to other populations, settings or times, external validity is the correct term.

Option A:
Internal validity deals with ruling out alternative explanations within the study so that causal inferences are sound, but it does not by itself guarantee that findings generalise. A study may be internally valid yet externally limited if the sample or context is narrow. Therefore, internal validity does not match the emphasis in the stem.

Option B:
Construct validity concerns whether the research appropriately operationalises and measures the theoretical constructs involved. While it contributes to meaningful interpretation, it is not primarily about generalisability across contexts. Hence, construct validity is not the right completion here.

Option C:
Content validity focuses on whether an instrument adequately represents the relevant content domain or syllabus, which is a different issue from applying results to new settings or populations. Thus, content validity is not the term being defined in the question.

Option D:
External validity can be enhanced by using diverse samples, realistic settings and replication across contexts. These strategies help ensure that the observed relationships are not peculiar to one specific group or environment, aligning with the stem’s focus on generalisation.