Which of the following refers to the extent to which research findings can be considered true and applicable?

The concept that pertains to the extent to which research findings can be considered true and applicable is validity. Validity concerns whether an instrument or methodology effectively measures what it purports to measure, ensuring that the conclusions drawn from data are sound. When a study is said to be valid, it indicates that the results accurately reflect the phenomena being studied and can be trusted to represent accurate insights about the social world.

In contrast, reliability refers to the consistency of a measure; a reliable tool produces the same results under consistent conditions but does not necessarily mean the measurements reflect the truth. Generalizability involves the extent to which findings from a study can be extended to broader populations or settings, focusing more on the applicability rather than the truth of the findings. Confidentiality relates to the ethical requirement of safeguarding participants' information, which, while important, does not directly pertain to the truthfulness or applicability of research findings.