Validit

y and
reliabi
lity
By Indri Octa Miransyah
 VALIDITY
Validity is defined as the extent to which an instrument measured what it claimed to measure.

Marczyk (2005) stated the primary purpose of validity is to increase the accuracy and usefulness of findings by
eliminating or controlling as many confounding variables as possible, which allows for greater confidence in the
findings of a given study.

The process of gathering evidence to support (or fail to support) a particular interpretation of test scores is referred to as
validation. Numerous studies may be required to build a body of evidence about
the validity of these score-based interpretations.
 THREE CATEGORIES of evidence
a. Evidence Based on Test Content
Evidence based on test content involves the test’s content and its relationship to the construct it is intended to
measure.

b. Evidence Based on Relations to a Criterion

Criterion-related validity evidence refers to the extent to which test scores are systematically related to one or more
outcome criteria. Historically, two types of criterion-related validity evidence have been distinguished: concurrent
and predictive.
1. Concurrent validity evidence is the relationship between scores on a measure and criterion scores obtained at the
same time.
2. Predictive validity evidence is the relationship between scores on a measure and criterion scores available at a
future time.

c. Construct-Related Evidence of Validty focuses on test scores as a measure of a psychological construct.

 RELIABILITY
Marczyk et al (2005) stated reliability refers to whether the measurement is consistent.

The reliability of a measuring instrument is the degree of consistency with which it

measures whatever it is measuring. (Ary et al 2010).
1. Random errors = Random error is error that is a result of pure chance
the source of random errors:
a. The individual being measured may be a source of error.
b. The administration of the measuring instrument may introduce error.
c. The instrument may be a source of error

2. Systematic errors = inflate or depress scores of identifiable groups in a predictable way

Systematic errors are the root of validity problems; random errors are the root of reliability problems