Validity

Definition: Validity refers to the application of statistical principles to arrive at well-founded —i.e., likely corresponding accurately to the real world— concepts, conclusions or measurement. In psychometrics, validity refers to the extent to which something measures what it intends to or claims to measure. Under this generic term, there are different types of validity (e.g., internal validity, construct validity, face validity, criterion validity, diagnostic validity, discriminant validity, concurrent validity, convergent validity, predictive validity, external validity).

Related terms: Causality, Construct validity, Content validity, Criterion validity, External validity, Face validity, Internal validity, Measurement, Psychometry, Questionable Measurement Practices (QMP), Reliability, Statistical power, Statistical validity, Test

References: Campbell (1957), Boorsboom et al. (2004), & Kelley (1927)

Drafted and Reviewed by: Tamara Kalandadze, Madeleine Pownall, Flávio Azevedo, Eduardo Garcia-Garzon, Halil E. Kocalar, Annalise A. LaPlume, Joanne McCuaig, Adam Parker, Charlotte R. Pennington

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