Which statement best describes external validity?

External validity refers to the extent to which the findings of a study can be generalized beyond the specific conditions or population involved in the research. It is crucial for determining how applicable research results are in real-world settings or different groups. When a study has high external validity, it suggests that the conclusions drawn are not just relevant to the particular sample studied, but can also be applied to other populations, settings, or times.

In contrast, the other statements focus on different aspects of research methodology. The impact of the independent variable on the dependent variable relates more directly to internal validity, which examines whether the experimental results are due to the manipulation of the independent variable rather than other factors. Eliminating confounding variables is essential for ensuring that the study accurately reflects the causal relationship being investigated, but it does not address the broader applicability of the findings. Finally, precision in measuring the dependent variable is important for the reliability of the study's results, but it does not inherently pertain to the generalization of those results. Thus, the chosen answer correctly identifies external validity as crucial for determining the generalizability of findings to a wider context.