Final answer:
External validity in an experimental study refers to the extent to which the experimental design reflects real-world issues. It is important for generalizing research findings to real-world contexts.
Step-by-step explanation:
External validity in an experimental study refers to the extent to which the experimental design reflects the real-world issues it explores. It is about how well the findings of the study can be generalized or applied to a larger population or real-life situations.
For example, if a study on the effectiveness of a new teaching method is conducted in a controlled laboratory setting with a small sample size, the external validity of the study may be limited.
That is because the findings may not accurately represent how the teaching method would work in actual classrooms with a diverse range of students and teachers.
Therefore, external validity is important in ensuring that research findings can be applicable and relevant in real-world contexts.