Estimating Validity of a Test: 5

Methods | Statistics
The following are some of the methods of estimating
validity of a test:

1. Correlation Coefficient Method

2. Cross-Validation Method
3. Expectancy Table Method
4. Item Analysis Method
5. Method of Inter-Correlation of Items
and Factor Analysis.
1. Correlation Coefficient Method:

In this method the scores of newly

constructed test are correlated with that of
criterion scores. The coefficient of
correlation gives the extent of validity index
of the test. For this purpose Pearson’s
method of correlation is most widely and
popularly used. The technique of correlation
depends on the nature of data obtained on
the test as well as on criterion.
2. Cross-Validation Method:

Cross-validation would be a trial of the

selected items on new groups. In order to
evaluate the usefulness of a test, the
prediction equation or cut-off score must be
derived from one sample of information and
validated on a second sample of subjects
from the same universe or population.
Cross-validation is accomplished by trying
out previously developed and refined test on
a completely new group.
3. Expectancy Table Method:

In this method the scores of newly

constructed test are evaluated or
correlated with the rating of the
supervisors. It provides empirical
probabilities of the validity index.
4. Item Analysis Method:

The items of a valid test should have proper difficulty value

and discriminating power. Difficulty value and
discriminating power of test items can be calculated through
‘Item Analysis’.
Item analysis is a process by which the difficulty value and
discriminating power of the individual items of a test are
calculated.
5. Method of Inter-Correlation of Items and Factor Analysis:

The factor analysis is done by highly

statistical methods. Methods of inter-
correlation and other statistical
methods are used to estimate factorial
validity.
Besides the above methods some other forms of
expressing validity are as follows:

a. By expert judgement.

b. By analysing the test with reference to

content and objectives.
Types of Validity
Validity

Validity is used for examining how

accurately something gets measured
by a method. If a particular method
actually measures all that it claims and
the generated results closely align
with the real-world values, the method
is considered to be valid.
Research validity is categorized into four main types which involve:

1.Construct validity
2.Content validity
3.Face validity
4.Criterion validity
Construct Validity

Construct validity is a great way of ensuring that

the measurement method aligns well with the
construct that you aim to measure. Suppose you
plan to build a questionnaire for the diagnosis of
depression, it’s essential for you to know: is your
questionnaire really able to measure the
construct for depression? Or does it measure the
respondent’s behavior, level of happiness, or
some different construct?
Content Validity

Content validity is used for evaluating if a test can

represent the different aspects of a specific
construct. In order to generate valid results, it’s
essential that the content of the survey, test, or
any measurement method you use must cover
the relevant & necessary areas of the subject it
intends to measure.
Face Validity

Face validity is used for considering how

appropriate the content of a particular test looks
on the surface. It seems quite similar to the
content validity, but it is considered to be a more
subjective and informal type of assessment.
Criterion Validity

Criterion validity plays a crucial role in

evaluating the relativity of your test results,
i.e. how closely a test’s results correspond
to another test’s results.