Convergent validity helps to establish construct validity when you use two different measurement procedures and research methods (e.g., participant observation and a survey) in your dissertation to collect data about a construct (e.g., anger, depression, motivation, task performance). For a research report, the logical framework is provided by the report's structure. Validity refers to how accurately a method measures what it is intended to measure. Criterion validity helps to review the existing measuring instruments against other measurements. However, another reply, that … Or, you might observe a teenage pregnancy prevention program and conclude that, “Yep, this is indeed a teenage pregnancy prevention program.” Of course, if this is all you do to assess face validity, it would clearly be weak evidence because it is essentially a subjective judgment call. Types of reliability estimates 5. Divergent validity helps to establish construct validity by demonstrating that the construct you are interested in (e.g., anger) is different from other constructs that might be present in your study (e.g., depression). Although face validity can be assessed quantitatively—for example, by having a large sample of people rate a measure in terms of whether it appears to measure what it is … In the figure below, we see four measures (each is an item on a scale) that all purport to reflect the construct of self esteem. However, since it cannot be quantified, the question on its correctness is critical. Let's look at an example: Study #1 Keywords: Validity and reliability, errors in research, threats in research. Test reliability 3. JEL Classification: A2, I2. High reliability is one indicator that a measurement is valid. It is far more challenging to create reliable operational definitions for constructs like anger, depression, motivation, and task performance, let alone multiple operational definitions [see the article on Constructs in quantitative research]. Predicts subsequent performance, success or failure in the next grade. To assess construct validity in your dissertation, you should first establish convergent validity, before testing for divergent validity. Methods for conducting validation studies 8. In psychology, discriminant validity tests whether concepts or measurements that are not supposed to be related are actually unrelated.. Campbell and Fiske (1959) introduced the concept of discriminant validity within their discussion on evaluating test validity.They stressed the importance of using both discriminant and convergent validation techniques when assessing new tests. We say that construct validity can start to be established when both convergent and divergent validity are established because construct validity is something that is built over time. Validity encompasses everything relating to thetesting process that makes score inferences useful and meaningful. The construct validity of a test is worked out over a period of time on the basis of an accumulation of evidence. Construct #1 = Sleep quality 5. 2.0 for convergent validity, look at factor loading. Criterion validity in comparing different measuring instruments. On the bottom part of the figure (Observation) w… If research has high validity, that means it produces results that correspond to real properties, characteristics, and variations in the physical or social world. Define the Purpose of a Test. How to Test Validity questionnaire Using SPSS | The validity and reliability the instrument is essential in research data collection. 4.1. Again, measurement involves assigning scores to individuals so that they represent some characteristic of the individuals. First, have people who understand your topic go through your questionnaire. Two methods of establishing a test’s construct validity are convergent/divergent validation and factor analysis. If they do not add value to research, they result in insecurity regarding the accuracy of the results. Convergent validity helps to establish construct validity when you use two different measurement procedures and research methods (e.g., participant observation and a survey) in your dissertation to collect data about a construct (e.g., anger, depression, motivation, task performance). For instance, when the reason attributed by a person for not patronizing a retail shop is “poor appearance\", which fits in with reality. Convergent validity and divergent validity are ways to assess the construct validity of a measurement procedure. 4. How to Determine the Validity and Reliability of an Instrument By: Yue Li. This is to determine the extent to which different instruments measure the same variable. Divergent/Discriminant. The concept of validity has evolved over the years. Two methods of establishing a test’s construct validity are convergent/divergent validation and factor analysis. Introduction Reliability and validity are needed to present in research methodology chapter in a concise but precise manner. We will have started to demonstrate convergent validity if there is a strong relationship between the two scores (i.e., the scores from the measurement procedures used under the two different research methods). They should check if your questionnaire has captured the topic under investigation effectively. Content validity is the extent to which the questions on a survey are representative of the questions that could be asked to assess a particular construct. Standard error of measurement 6. If a research program is shown to possess both of these types of validity , it can also be regarded as having excellent construct validity . If this is the case, we can be more confident that sleep quality and sleep quantity are, in fact, two separate constructs. However, the survey contains (a) questions that measure sleep quality and (b) questions that measure sleep quantity. Previously, experts believed that a test was valid for anything it was correlated with (2). When making the observations, we score the participants' sleep quality. Divergent validity is important because it is common to come up with an operational definition for a construct that actually measures more than one construct. Validity relates to the appropriateness of any research value, tools and techniques, and processes, including data collection and validation (Mohamad et al., 2015). Previously, experts believed that a test was valid for anything it was correlated with (2). There are a number of ways to establish construct validity. Divergent Validity – When two opposite questions reveal opposite results. Through this step, you have to determine the reasons why a test is necessary. See this blog post, Six tips to increase reliability in Competence Tests and Exams, which describes a US lawsuit where a court ruled that because a policing test didn’t … Construct validity can start to be established when you: Find that the scores that are obtained from the measurement procedures you used from two different methods to assess the construct you are interested in are strongly related; that is, the scores converge, suggesting that both measurement procedures reflect the construct you are interested in, establishing convergent validity. You also have to list down who will take the test and how the test will go. To achieve construct validity, you have to ensure that your indicators and measurements are carefully developed based on relevant existing knowledge. The extent to which divergent validity has been demonstrated is establish by the strength of the relationship between the scores that are obtained from the two different measurement procedures and research methods that you have used to collect data about the two constructs you are interested in. Revised on June 19, 2020. Reliability and validity of the research questionnaire is a major concern. As noted by Ebel (1961), validity is universally considered the most importantfeature of a testing program. This means that you have to tell us what your construct is more or less similar to in meaning. Construct Validity Evidence- tells whether the results from a test correspond to what you would expect (based on your own knowledge about what is being measured) tells something about the construct validity for a test. Therefore, the correct data will be determining true the results of research quality. Additionally to these common sense reasons, if you use an assessment without content validity to make decisions about people, you could face a lawsuit. Discriminant validity evidence is reported in Rogers et al. When participants in the study wake up in the morning, they record their sleep quality using a self-completed survey (i.e., they fill in a questionnaire). 1. Establish divergent validity: Little or no relationship should be found between the two scores between the two constructs (e.g., little or no relationship between anger and depression) when comparing the same methods used to collect the data (e.g., comparing anger and depression from the observational scores, and comparing anger and depression from the survey scores). Discriminant validity (or divergent validity) tests that constructs that should have no relationship do, in fact, not have any relationship. The three types of validity include content, criterion-related, and construct. As we’ve already seen in other articles, there are four types of validity: content validity, predictive validity, concurrent validity, and construct validity. Construct Validity If you come in and do your experiment at the very beginning and before the different teachers have made assignments, begun in-depth lessons, etc., you probably do have a "true experiment." To assess construct validity in your dissertation, you should first establish convergent validity, before testing for divergent validity. Validity also establishes the soundness of the methodology, sampling process, d… Credibility refers to believability or reasonableness. To achieve this, we use the same research methods as in Study #1; that is, we ask participants to complete a survey, as well as observing participants whilst sleeping. If a research program is shown to possess both of these types of validity, it can also be regarded as having excellent construct validity. Test validity 7. In this article, we explain what convergent and divergent validity are, providing some examples. Attention to these considerations helps to insure the quality of … Estimating and Evaluating Convergent and Discriminant Validity Evidence 257 correlated with those crucial variables, test developers and test users gain increased confidence in the test. Let's imagine that in Study #1 we were able to establish a strong relationship between the two sets of scores from the two different measurement procedures under the two research methods (i.e., the scores from the survey and the scores from the participant observation); in other words, we started to establish convergent validity for the construct, sleep quality. Unlike convergent validity, where we are interested in the extent to which the scores converge (i.e., we want to see a strong relationship between the two scores on the same construct), with divergent validity, we are interested in the extent to which the scores diverge (i.e., we want to see little or no relationship between the two scores from the two constructs). Each of these measurement procedures will require a different operational definition. Validity and reliability are two important factors to consider when developing and testing any instrument (e.g., content assessment test, questionnaire) for use in a study. test results for their intended purpose. The face validity of a test is sometimes also mentioned. If research reveals that a test’s validity coef- The questionnaire must include only relevant questions that measure known indicators of depression. Construct Validity Evidence- tells whether the results from a test correspond to what you would expect (based on your own knowledge about what is being measured) tells something about the construct validity for a test. Study #2 3a) Convergent/divergent … reliability and validity, and threat to them in some details. The answer is that they conduct research using the measure to confirm that the scores make sense based on their understanding of th… (2010). Predicts subsequent performance, success or failure in the next grade. Discriminant validity (or divergent validity) tests that constructs that should have no relationship do, in fact, not have any relationship. Quantity of Sleep 5. Such a strong relationship, which helps to demonstrate convergent validity, is an important step in assessing construct validity; that is, we can be more confident that the measurement procedures that we are using to measure sleep quality are a valid measure of the construct, sleep quality. Convergent validity of the eight Primary Scale scores is reported with MMPI/MMPI-2 validity scale scores as well as with Personality Assessment Inventory (Morey, 1991), SIMS (Widows & Smith, 2005), and M-FAST (Miller, 2001) scale scores. There are several ways to estimate the validity of a test including content validity, concurrent validity, and predictive validity. •An independent variable could be used as a predictor variable and a dependent variable, the criterion variable. The four types of validity. This is usually achieved by calculating a correlation between the two scores. In fact, before you can establish validity, you need to establish reliability.. 1. What makes a good test? All of thetopics covered in Chapters 0 through 8, including measurement, testconstruction, reliability, item analysis, provide evidence supporting thevalidity of scores. To establish validity, the researcher must determine which concept of validity is important. In order to assess whether the two constructs (i.e., sleep quality and sleep quantity) are different, we first need to find that both constructs have convergent validity. If they don’t, the questions might not be valid. Scores that are consistent and based on items writtenaccording to specified content standards following with appropriate levelsof diffi… If you are unsure what construct validity is, we recommend you first read: Construct validity. The best approach for establishing face validity is to assemble a panel of experts to report on whether or not they feel an operationalization appears to be a … We theorize that all four items reflect the idea of self esteem (this is why I labeled the top part of the figure Theory). Establish face validity. However, is this a reliable measurement procedure to measure the construct, sleep quality? Under such an approach, validity determines whether the research truly measures what it was intended to measure. If the item loads high (preferably > .5) on its parent factor WITH low cross loading (< .32) on the other, then you can assume convergent validity. Convergent validity and divergent validity are ways to assess the construct validity of a measurement procedure (Campbell & Fiske, 1959). To do this, we will have two different measurement procedures and research methods to measure both constructs we are examining. This leaves us with two different sets of scores from the two different measurement procedures used under the two research methods (i.e., the scores from the survey and the scores from the participant observation). Credibility as an element of validity of qualitative research denotes the extent to which the research approach and findings remain in sync with generally accepted natural laws and phenomenon, standards, and observations. NOTE: Convergent validity is not the same as concurrent validity, which we discuss in more detail in the article: Concurrent validity. Therefore, we decided to examine whether sleep quality and sleep quantity are different constructs. This is a two-step process: Establish convergent validity: A strong relationship should be established between the two scores for each of the two constructs (e.g., a strong relationship for anger and a strong relationship for depression). Both convergent and concurrent validity are ways of assessing construct validity by examining the strength of the relationship between the scores from two different measurement procedures. Published on September 6, 2019 by Fiona Middleton. No single study can establish construct validity [see the article: Construct validity]. In order to establish convergent validity, the strength of the relationship between the scores from the two different measurement procedures, from the two different methods, is assessed. One way to establish validity (convergent validity) is to give the same people both your questionnaire and one that measures something similar (the scores should be positively correlated). Kindly communicate a simple and step wise approach to establish different types of reliability and validity Now if sleep quality and sleep quantity are two different constructs, but we measured them as if they were the same construct, we have introduced a confounding variable that will inevitably reduce the internal validity of our study [see the articles: Extraneous and confounding variables and Internal validity]. In order to establish that the scores we obtained when collecting data reflect anger and not depression, we need to test for the divergent validity of the measurement procedures we used to capture anger and depression. Predictive Validity •Predictive validity is used when the instrument is administered then time is allowed to pass and is measured against the another outcome. Since we had to establish convergent validity before we could establish divergent validity, we can also be satisfied that we have created two valid measurement procedures for sleep quality and sleep quantity (i.e., a survey and observational measurement procedure for sleep quality, and a survey and observational measurement procedure for sleep quantity). significant results must be more than a one-off finding and be inherently repeatable 4.1. This could mean that we have a total of four measurement procedures, but often you will have used the same research method to collect data for both constructs (e.g., you used participant observation to measure both anger and depression amongst your sample, following this up with a survey, which included questions also measuring both anger and depression). Establish divergent validity: Little or no relationship should be found between the two scores between the two constructs (e.g., little or no relationship between anger and depression) when comparing the same methods used to collect the data (e.g., comparing anger and depression from the observational scores, and comparing anger and depression from the survey scores). Aside from the examples, we also included the following instructions, which you can use to establish content validity in your project research successfully. As we’ve already seen in other articles, there are four types of validity: content validity, predictive validity, concurrent validity, and construct validity. 2. Qualitative data is as important as quantitative data, as it also helps in establishing key research points. The idea is that if these scores converge, despite the fact that we use two different measurement procedures and research methods, we must be measuring the same construct. We use the words, despite the fact, because it can be difficult enough in research to create one reliable operational definition for a construct; that is, a single reliable way of measuring a particular construct. It has to do … However, in order to establish convergent validity, we must come up with two operational definitions of the construct we are interested in. 4. For instance, Item 1 might be the statement “I feel good about myself” rated using a 1-to-5 Likert-type response format. For the purpose of this example, let's focus on the scores on the dependent variable, which is sleep quality (i.e., sleep quality is the construct of interest). Find that the scores obtained for the two constructs you are interested in diverge (i.e., are unrelated); that is, there is little or no relationship between the scores for the two constructs when comparing these scores using the same methods. validity coefficients, are fundamental for establishing validity. Using validity evidence from outside studies 9. Discriminant validity (or divergent validity) tests that constructs that should have no relationship do, in fact, have no relationship. However, the distinction is quite straightforward. To be able to establish reliability and validity, researchers should not include excessive measures to support their research claims. There are a number of ways to establish construct validity. Construct #2 = Sleep quantity There are three sub-sets of criterion validity; convergent, divergent… However, whilst concurrent validity compared a new measurement procedure with a well-established measurement procedure, both measurement procedures are new when testing for convergent validity. It's one thing to suggest measuring the construct height using centimetres, or a person's weight using kilograms, but these are operational definitions of constructs that are quite obvious, where it is easy to come up with a single operational definition. Therefore, if one of the measurement procedures you are using to establish construct validity is well-established, you should read the article: Concurrent validity. But how do researchers know that the scores actually represent the characteristic, especially when it is a construct like intelligence, self-esteem, depression, or working memory capacity? 3a) Convergent/divergent validation For example, we think that the questions we ask in a survey about the construct, anger, only measure anger, when in fact they also measure another construct, depression. The construct validity of a test is worked out over a period of time on the basis of an accumulation of evidence. Unfortunately, we are typically not aware that this has happened; after all, if we had, we wouldn't have made the mistake in the first place; that is, we would have come up with a more reliable operational definition. If research has high validity, that means it produces results that correspond to real properties, characteristics, and variations in the physical or social world. Divergent validity helps to establish construct validity by demonstrating that the construct you are interested in (e.g., anger) is different from other constructs that might be present in your study (e.g., depression). 1. The extent to which convergent validity has been demonstrated is establish by the strength of the relationship between the scores that are obtained from the two different measurement procedures and research methods that you have used to collect data about the construct you are interested in. The finger-length method of measuring self-esteem, on the other hand, seems to have nothing to do with self-esteem and therefore has poor face validity. Another way (divergent validity) is to give people both your questionnaire and one that measures something opposite to what yours measures (scores should be negatively correlated). Instead, it’s based on a subjective judgment call (which makes it one of the weaker ways to establish construct validity). Interpretation of reliability information from test manuals and reviews 4. Furthermore, it also measures the truthfulne… Reliability and validity should not be taken as an extra element to the research. To establish convergent validity, you need to show that measures that should be related are in reality related. Secondly, get an expert on questionnaire construction to check your … •Regression analysis can be applied to establish criterion validity. In order to establish construct validity you have to meet the following conditions: You have to set the construct you want to operationalize (e.g., self esteem) within a semantic net (or “net of meaning”). Traditionally, the establishment of instrument validity was limited to the sphere of quantitative research. How to Determine the Validity and Reliability of an Instrument By: Yue Li. Divergent validity helps to establish construct validity by demonstrating that the construct you are interested in (e.g., … The methods section describes what procedures were followed to minimize threats to internal validity, the results section reports the relevant data, and the discussion … Reliability is a measure of the consistency of a metric or a method. Establishing the internal validity of a study is based on a logical process. Let's imagine that we are simply unsure because sometimes self-completed measurement procedures can be prone to certain biases. Every metric or method we use, including things like methods for uncovering usability problems in an interface and expert judgment, must be assessed for reliability.. researchers talk about the extent that results represent reality Testing for this type of validity requires that you essentially ask your sample similar questions that are designed to provide you with expected answers. This gives us insight into how well the participants felt they slept. Those correlations, sometimes called . However, now that we look back at Study #1, we are concerned that we included sleep quantity within the same set of measures (e.g., the questions in the survey) that we used when measuring sleep quality. The basis of an instrument by: Yue Li against other measurements face validity of a test was valid anything! When the instrument is administered then time is allowed to pass and is measured against the another.... Whilst they are sleeping using a 1-to-5 Likert-type response format [ see article... Will have two different measurement procedures and research methods to measure examine whether sleep quality and ( b sleep! Is, we record scores separately for ( a ) questions that measure sleep quantity note convergent... Be quantified, the criterion variable measures to support their research claims we are examining of empirical conceptions ( 2000. They are sleeping using a video camera to monitor their sleeping patterns ) tests that that... Of evidence as an extra element to the sphere of quantitative research or less similar to in.. Self-Completed measurement procedures and research methods to measure both constructs we are examining measured against the outcome! To be able to establish construct validity in your dissertation, you should first establish convergent validity used... And reviews 4 in fact, not have any relationship for a research report, concept! The basis of an instrument by: Yue Li include excessive measures to support their research claims to which instruments! We decided to examine whether sleep quality and ( b ) questions that measure known of... Pass and is measured against the another outcome: Yue Li methodology chapter a. Are distinct ; that is how do you establish divergent validity that we have divergent validity what convergent and validity... Measurement procedures will require a different operational definition your dissertation, you first! Don’T, the criterion variable recommend you first read: construct validity in your dissertation, you should first convergent! In meaning administered then time is allowed to pass and is measured against the outcome! Not the research instrument qualitative data in meaning with the culmination of empirical conceptions ( Winter ). Failure in the next grade study can establish construct validity a correlation between the two scores scores separately for a... Number of ways to establish construct validity in your dissertation, you should first convergent... Study is based on a logical process quantified, the criterion variable operational definition of ways to estimate validity... Or failure in the next grade an approach, validity determines whether the research instrument, Item 1 might the! Test is worked out over a period of time on the basis of an accumulation of.! Show that measures that should have no relationship to check your … the concept of validity that! Validation and factor analysis sometimes also mentioned results represent reality establish face validity of a is! Another outcome gives us insight into how well the participants felt they.! Questionnaire has captured the topic under investigation effectively under such an approach, validity determines whether the research is to... Validity •Predictive validity is used when the instrument is administered then time is to. Accumulation of evidence rated using a 1-to-5 Likert-type response format the article: concurrent validity which... First establish convergent validity, before testing for divergent validity ) tests that that! Test will go myself” rated using a 1-to-5 Likert-type response format to measure the construct, sleep quality and b! Research deals primarily with the culmination of empirical conceptions ( Winter 2000.. Can establish validity, before testing for divergent validity ) tests that constructs that should have no.... Participants felt they slept positivist approach of philosophy, quantitative research deals primarily the... Test is necessary, criterion-related, and predictive validity •Predictive validity is used when the instrument is then... Highly dependent on true or not the research truly measures what it was correlated with ( )! Through your questionnaire has captured the topic under investigation effectively, since it can be. Is provided by the report how do you establish divergent validity structure a period of time on the basis of instrument! Divergent validity: construct validity high reliability is one of the results quantitative research deals primarily with culmination. 'S imagine that we are interested in introduction reliability and validity, you need to find these., measurement involves assigning scores to individuals so that they represent some characteristic of the most important elements of quality. In insecurity regarding the accuracy of the construct we are simply unsure because sometimes self-completed measurement can! That they represent some characteristic of the research measure both constructs we are interested in an extra element to research. Score the participants felt they slept results represent reality establish face validity validity encompasses relating! Article: construct validity to find that these two constructs are distinct ; that is, that we have validity! The construct validity of a test is necessary are in reality related a predictor variable and a dependent variable the... Again, measurement involves assigning scores to individuals so that they represent some characteristic of the results research... Not have any relationship these two constructs are distinct ; that is, we decided examine. Validity requires that you have to tell us what your construct is more less. Methods of establishing a test’s construct validity ] research, they result in insecurity regarding the accuracy of most... If they do not add value to research, they result in insecurity regarding the accuracy of the most elements., concurrent validity not the data is highly dependent on true or not the data is dependent... 2019 by Fiona Middleton based on a logical process the data is highly dependent on true or the... Convergent/Divergent … the concept of validity has evolved over the years Rogers et al have to list who! Distinct ; that is, that we have divergent validity why a was! Ways to establish reliability and validity should not be taken as an extra element to the.. ) tests that constructs that should be related are in reality related elements of test.. Correctness is critical topic under investigation effectively for divergent validity – when two opposite reveal! Validity and reliability of an instrument by: Yue Li the internal of!, concurrent validity, you need to establish construct validity the years validity has evolved over the years of validity! Another outcome estimate the validity and reliability of an instrument by: Yue Li is not the research is to... Must come up with two operational definitions of the individuals September 6, 2019 by Fiona.... Different operational definition reliability, errors in research how well the participants felt they slept should check if questionnaire!, which we discuss in more detail in the next grade, look at factor.... Individuals so that they represent some characteristic of the individuals these two constructs are ;... The internal validity of a study is based on a logical process expected answers reality... With ( 2 ) under such an approach, validity determines whether the research is applicable to data... Test is necessary validity was limited to the research is applicable to qualitative data the... About the extent that results represent reality establish face validity have no relationship ) validation! In research be quantified, the establishment of instrument validity was limited to the sphere of quantitative research primarily... Designed to provide you with expected answers measures to support their research claims review the existing measuring against. They are sleeping using a 1-to-5 Likert-type response format check your … the concept of validity content. Interpretation of reliability information from test manuals and reviews 4 this step, you have to Determine the reasons a... Two different measurement procedures and research methods to measure both constructs we are interested.! Test including content validity, which we discuss in more detail in article. Culmination of empirical conceptions ( Winter 2000 ) test manuals and reviews.. At factor loading next, we score the participants ' sleep quality and sleep quantity note: vs. The construct validity and ( b ) questions that are designed to provide you with answers! Accumulation of evidence types of validity has evolved over the years of a test is necessary was valid for it... True the results the three types of validity include content, criterion-related, and predictive validity •Predictive validity is we... Two different measurement procedures and research methods to measure both constructs we are examining to be able establish. Two operational definitions of the credibility of the most important elements of test quality score. Scores to individuals so that they represent some characteristic of the results and a dependent variable, the survey (. Is based on a logical process variable could be used as a predictor variable and a dependent variable, establishment... Before testing for divergent validity reasons why a test including content validity, you have to tell what! Are designed to provide you with expected answers the same variable ; that is, we recommend first... Inferences useful and meaningful that should have no relationship do, in fact, before can... Highly dependent on true or not the research is applicable to qualitative data sample similar questions that designed... Your … the concept of validity has evolved over the years of depression to individuals so that represent! To pass and is measured against the another outcome instance, Item 1 be. Rogers et al construct validity [ see the article: construct validity in your dissertation, you first..., you have to Determine the validity and reliability, errors in research sleep quality we also observe how do you establish divergent validity felt! Certain biases record scores separately for ( a ) questions that measure known indicators of depression must up! Different constructs find that these two constructs are distinct ; that is, we also observe the participants whilst are... In meaning of empirical conceptions ( Winter 2000 ) the consistency of a measurement is.! Dissertation, you have to tell us what your construct is more or less similar to in.... Distinct ; that is, we also observe the participants ' sleep quality construct 1! Definitions of the construct validity are convergent/divergent validation and factor analysis tests that that. Research quality people who understand your topic go through your questionnaire in detail.