The concept that something taught in one situation with a particular person can be applied to other places with other people.
Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/local/20540
<psychology> The phenomenon of an organism's responding to all situations similar to one in which it has been conditioned. ... (12 Dec 1998) ... Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/local/20973
If your research sample is properly constructed this gives you an ability to generalise any results and conclusions about them onto the target population from which your sample came.
Found on http://www.gerardkeegan.co.uk/glossary/gloss_a.htm