Understanding the 3 Types of Validity for Accurate Assessments

Abstract

Instructor’s Name Definition Validity is a measurement characteristic used to describe a characteristic or quality of tests, for instance, how accurate a method used to measure is and what is intended to be measured. There are three types of validity, and they include; Content validity evidence, criterion validity evidence, and construct validity evidence. It is a concept mainly used in kinesiology. Content Validity Evidence Content validity is an inference tool on how well a surveyor test measures a construct, topic, or behavior. An example of content validity is standardized tests for academic purposes. For instance, teachers use content validity in schools to ascertain students' understanding of the subject area. They assess the understanding of theory through a test. Examples of such tests are GRE and SAT. Content validity ascertains where the test fully covers the subject, topic, and construct dimensions. High content validity indicates that the test fully meets the requirements of the topic targeted to a particular audience. A low content validity suggests that the test is irrelevant to the subject area. Criterion Validity Criterion validity measures how well a measure can predict an outcome of another measure. A positive correlation is used to determine the validity of the measures. There are two types of criterion validity, and they include; predictive validity and concurrent validity. Concurrent validity demonstrates a correlation with the original test. Predictive validity determines the results of a test in the future. An example of criterion validity is a job applicant taking a performance test during the interview to ascertain their performance during employment tenure. Construct Validity Construct validity is scientific and measures an abstract trait in a test. This validity entails the compilation of multiple types of evidence. For instance, in basic algebra, a student...