Final answer:
A study's results that can be applied to the outside world have external validity. This is distinct from internal validity, which examines accuracy within the study, and reliability, which measures consistency. Sociological research aims to achieve both high reliability and high external validity.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a study's results can be applied to the outside world, the study has external validity. External validity is a measure of how well the findings of a study can be generalized or applied to contexts outside the study itself. This is different from internal validity, which refers to the degree to which a study accurately reflects or assesses the specific concepts that the researcher is attempting to measure within the study. In contrast, reliability refers to the consistency of a measure, meaning the research results are likely to be replicated if the study is reproduced. Construct validity is the degree to which a test measures what it claims, or purports, to be measuring.
When conducting sociological, psychological, or any other type of scientific research, ensuring that the study has both high reliability and validity is critical, as they are indicators of the accuracy and generalizability of the study's results. Researchers aim for their studies to be both reliable and valid to present findings that can be trusted and utilized in real-world settings.