Content validity
Definition: The degree to which a measurement includes all aspects of the concept that the researcher claims to measure; “A qualitative type of validity where the domain of the concept is made clear and the analyst judges whether the measures fully represent the domain” (Bollen, 1989, p.185). It is a component of construct validity and can be established using both quantitative and qualitative methods, often involving expert assessment.
Related terms: Construct validity, Validity
References:
- Bollen, K. A. (1989). Structural Equations with Latent Variables (pp. 179–225). John Wiley & Sons.
- Brod, M., Tesler, L., & Christensen, T. (2009). Qualitative research and content validity: Developing best practices based on science and experience. Quality of Life Research, 18(9), 1263–1278. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-009-9540-9
- Drost, E. A. (2011). Validity and reliability in social science research. Education Research and Perspectives, 38(1), 105–123.
- Haynes, S. N., Richard, D. C. S., & Kubany, E. S. (1995). Content validity in psychological assessment: A functional approach to concepts and methods. Psychological Assessment, 7(3), 238–247. https://doi.org/10.1037/1040-3590.7.3.238
Originally drafted by: Annalise A. LaPlume
Reviewed by: Mahmoud Elsherif, Wanyin Li, Aoife O’Mahony, Eike Mark Rinke, Sam Parsons, Graham Reid