Definition
External Validity refers to the extent to which the results of a study can be generalized or applied to situations, individuals, or settings beyond the specific conditions of the study. In behavior analysis, external validity is important for determining whether the findings from a controlled experiment can be used to predict behavior in real-world scenarios or with different populations.
Example
A behavior analyst conducts an intervention in a classroom to reduce disruptive behaviors during group work. The intervention proves effective in that setting. To assess external validity, the analyst would consider whether the same intervention would work in other classrooms, schools, or with different age groups. If the results can be replicated in different contexts with similar success, the study demonstrates strong external validity.