Psych 209: Validity

Question 1

Validity

Answer 1

the extent to which a measure truly assess what it is claimed to measure. The degree to which a measure achieves the aims for which it was designed

Question 2

Face Validity

Answer 2

The extent to which a measure simply appear to be a reasonable measure of some trait

usually least important type

Question 3

Content Validity

Answer 3

The degree to which the content of a measure covers a representative sample of the domain

cover material well, not favoring small amounts of larger content

Example of Bad Content Validity: not including all the possible symptoms of depression on a questionnaire measuring depression and only having a few

Question 4

Criterion Validity

Answer 4

degree to which scores on a measure meaningfully predict some future behavior or current behavior

Question 5

Construct Validity

Answer 5

the degree to which a construct is valid; also the degree to which a particular instrument is a valid measure of that construct

Two Types: Convergent and Divergent/Discriminant

Question 6

Convergent Validity

Answer 6

Scores on a measure should relate

a) to scores on other already valid measure of the same construct and
b) to scores on measure of other constructs to which (according to theory) they should be related

Question 7

Discriminant/Divergent Validity

Answer 7

scores on a measure should not relate to scores on measure of other constructs to which (theoretically) they should not be related

Question 8

Accuracy

Answer 8

the degree to which an instrument yield results that agree with an accepted standard

Question 9

Reliability

Answer 9

the extent to which a measure of the same variable or phenomenon yields consistent results

*Something cannot be valid without being reliable