Final answer:
Internal validity pertains to causal relationships in studies; external validity involves generalizing findings to different contexts; construct validity assesses if a test measures what it claims to measure.
Step-by-step explanation:
When assessing the quality of research, it's crucial to understand the concepts of internal, external, and construct validity. Internal validity refers to the extent to which a study is free from internal biases, thereby allowing a researcher to infer a causal relationship between variables. It questions whether the research design allows for conclusions about whether the independent variable truly influences the dependent variable, without being affected by extraneous variables.
External validity is about the generalizability of the findings beyond the circumstances of the study. It examines if the results can be applied to other contexts, settings, time periods, or populations.
Lastly, construct validity assesses the degree to which a test measures what it claims to be measuring. It involves evaluating whether the theoretical constructs are accurately operationalized in the study. Construct validity is integral in ensuring that the study's outcomes are attributable to the theoretical concepts it is exploring.