Validity

Tests need to be accurate (i.e. valid) for the researcher to know the test can be trusted. Tests have a concept or framework that guide what the test is supposed to measure. Construct-based validity evidence is used to measure to the degree that the test is measuring that construct. This type of validity has two subparts: discriminant validity and convergent validity. When constructs are not supposed to be related, discriminant validity checks to see if they are in fact unrelated. On the other hand, when constructs should be related, convergent validity checks to see if they are related. To assess both convergent and discriminative validity, the multi-trait multi-method matrix is used. A test can have multiple parts of a construct that need…

Measuring validity is important because it determines the impact of research. Validity is defined as “an integrated, evaluative judgment of the degree to which empirical evidence and theoretical rationales support the adequacy and appropriateness of inferences and actions based on test scores or other modes of assessment” (Salkind, 2010, p.1). There are many criteria of rigorous research, for example, internal validity, external validity, objectivity of observer, replicability, and reliability…

Validity in Research When planning research, scholars must consider many factors. Two such factors are is the measure of the construct valid and will the specific measure of the construct result in reliable data (Trochim & Donnelly, 2008). Take for example a study to determine the effectiveness of a specific Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) medication for children ages 8-14 who are diagnosed with ADD, where the researchers yield consistent results for each participant for each dosage for the…

Select one of the studies presented at a Friday seminar workshop during the first semester. For this study, identify both a threat to internal validity and a threat to construct validity. In each instance, explain why the threat that you’ve identified is a threat and how significant a threat it is. King, Massoud and Song (2016), suffers from multiple validity threats of varying degrees of significance. Internal Validity As the principle-agent problem goes much of the way to explain the results…

Validity looks to see if a test measures what it is supposed to measure and if the test does not then it is not valid and should not be used. There are numerous types of test validity discussed in this chapter, but the one that stuck out to me the most was face validity. Face validity just looks to see if the test looks like what it is supposed, but it is important to remember that just because it looks valid does not mean it is. I believe this stood out to me the most because of all the online…

Validity speaks to the magnitude to which the interpretations of test scores are grounded in theory and evidence. Validity is one of the most fundamental things to think about when evaluating psychological test. The question of validity can be expressed from three different perspectives, purpose of the test, the form the test comes in and the population being served. Therefore, researchers should never say “the test is valid.” Instead, researchers should state that the test is valid enough…

Internal validity addresses causal relationships between factors. Focusing on the test and having strong control over the environment can produce a more detailed understanding of the responses (Moskal & Leydens, 2000). For example, the survey must be given in an environment that does not resemble test taking facilities. The environment should be calm and casual. If the participant is taking a survey on test anxiety and is in a rigid environment they may feel those unnatural conditions and they…

Traditional Methods of Validity vs. the Process-Focused Model Amy Wilhelm Kaplan University PS505: Testing, Measurement and Assessment Dr. Raymond Brogan December 16, 2014 Traditional Methods of Validity vs. the Process-Focused Model Testing and assessments are used continuously in many areas of clinical psychology. The testing instrument needs to be considered reliable and valid. Cohen, Swerdlik and Struman (2013) define validity as being the estimate of how well the test…

A potential threat to the internal validity of my assigned research study is maturation because participants in the non-Snoezelen study were much older than other participants in the study with an age gap of up to 20 years. Maturation also threats internal validity in the sense that Snoezelen participants had been living in the residential aged care facility for a longer period of time compared to the non-Snoezelen group (Bauer et al., 2015). Participants who have been living in the residential…

were depressed and the method of sampling was not applicable. It suggests that the participants were already willing to change. 2. Internal validity is the estimated fact about implications regarding cause-effect. It is only pertinent in studies that try to establish a causal relationship (KnowledgeBase, 2006). External validity is the degree to which the results of a study can be generalized to other situations and people. Validity is important because it observes research findings. If…