Judged: two independent readers; copy check clear.
internal validity
internal validity Internal validity is the extent to which research findings are credible or can be taken as reflecting the truth of what was studied.
Internal validity is the extent to which research findings are credible or can be taken as reflecting the truth of what was studied. In the source passage, it refers to confidence in the findings themselves, especially whether observed patterns are trustworthy rather than uncertain because of limitations such as a small sample.