Validity Vocab

A series of flashcards covering key concepts related to measurement validity, including definitions and types of validity.

Validity

Validity refers to the extent to which an instrument truly measures what it effectively intends to measure.

Reliability

Reliability is a fundamental prerequisite for validity, meaning that a test or instrument cannot be considered valid if it is unreliable.

Face Validity

Face Validity describes the superficial degree to which an instrument merely appears to test what it is supposed to measure; this characteristic is inherently subjective and thus scientifically weak.

Content Validity

Content Validity assesses how thoroughly measurements represent the concept of interest, ensuring they do not encompass unrelated concepts. This assessment is typically evaluated by expert review.

Criterion-related Validity

Criterion-related Validity measures the extent to which an instrument can successfully substitute for an established gold standard.

Construct Validity

Construct Validity pertains to the comprehensive measurement of the dimensions and the underlying theoretical foundations of an abstract construct.

Sensitivity

Sensitivity represents a test's ability to accurately obtain a positive result when the target condition is genuinely present.

Specificity

Specificity refers to a test's ability to accurately obtain a negative result when the target condition is genuinely absent.

Prevalence

Prevalence quantifies the total number of existing cases of a specific condition within a defined population at any single point in time.

MCID

MCID, which stands for Minimum Clinically Important Difference, serves as a crucial reflection of a test's validity, particularly based on external criteria.

SnNOUT

SnNOUT is an acronym signifying that if a sensitive test yields a negative result, it effectively rules the condition OUT.

SpPIN

SpPIN is an acronym signifying that if a specific test yields a positive result, it effectively rules the condition IN.

Threats to Validity

Threats to Validity encompass various factors that can potentially compromise the overall validity of a study, such as inappropriate statistical methodologies or biases arising from sampling.