If a researcher takes care to ensure a high level of generalizability in a study, which type of validity could be limited as a result?

• A. Population validity
• B. Statistical validity
• C. Internal validity
• D. External validity

Answer: (C)

Maximizing generalizability involves studying in more natural settings with diverse participants and less tight experimental control. Internal validity is about ruling out alternative explanations and showing that the manipulation caused the observed effect. When you prioritize broad generalizability, you trade some experimental control, which can allow confounding factors to creep in and weaken confidence in a causal link. So, you gain external validity (generalizability) but may sacrifice internal validity. Statistical validity and population validity aren’t the primary focus of this trade-off in the same way, and elevating generalizability would typically enhance external validity rather than limit it.