External validity of a study refers to that study's findings in terms of what quality?

External validity is primarily concerned with the extent to which the findings of a study can be generalized beyond the specific conditions or sample used in the research. It assesses whether the results can be applicable to other populations, settings, or times. This aspect of validity is crucial because it helps determine if the conclusions drawn from the study can be related to broader contexts or different groups of individuals outside of the study sample.

Generalizability to other populations reflects the study's ability to inform practice or policy decisions in various real-world situations. For instance, if a study demonstrates a particular intervention is effective for a specific demographic group, researchers and practitioners will want to understand if it might also be effective for individuals from different backgrounds, cultures, or age groups. Ensuring that findings are generalizable strengthens the applicability of social work evidence in diverse contexts.

The other options pertain to different concepts in research validity. Reliability across different timeframes focuses on the consistency of results over time, while significance in statistical terms relates to whether the results are statistically meaningful, and internal consistency assesses whether various items within a test measure the same construct effectively. While these elements are important, they do not primarily address the concept of external validity.