Evaluators often make key decisions about what content to include when designing new scales. However, without clear conceptual grounding, there is a risk these decisions may compromise the scale's validity. Techniques such as concept mapping are available to evaluators for the specification of conceptual frameworks, but have not been used as a…

Lissitz and Samuelsen (2007) have proposed a framework that seemingly deems construct validity evidence irrelevant to supporting educational test meaning. The author of this article agrees with Lissitz and Samuelsen that internal evidence establishes test meaning, but she argues that construct validity need not be removed from the validity sphere.…

This article presents the authors' response to the discussants of their article "A Suggested Change in Terminology and Emphasis Regarding Validity and Education" (this issue)--Susan E. Embretson, Joanna S. Gorin, Robert J. Mislevy, Pamela A. Moss, and Stephen G. Sireci. Their response is limited to a brief summarization of their position…

This investigation was conducted to explore the reliability and validity of scores on the French Canadian version of the Self-Report Coping Scale (SRCS; D. L. Causey & E. F. Dubow, 1992) and that of a short form of the SRCS. Evidence provides initial support for construct validity by replication of the factor structure and correlations with…

Learning strategies and affective factors could have a profound impact on student standardized mathematics performance. This study investigated gender differences in affective factors, learning strategies, and preferred learning situations, and how these variables affect math achievement of 15 year olds in the United States and Hong Kong on the…

This introduction to confirmatory factor analysis presents an overview of its basic concepts and processes. Conventional factor analysis can be described as set of analytic techniques designed to examine the covariance structure of a set of variables and to provide an explanation of the relationships among those variables in terms of a smaller…

Though construct validity is widely employed in educational research, it is a difficult and confusing topic in methodology, and it is not clear whether all researchers share the same understanding. This essay describes origins of construct validity and suggests a plan for updating its foundations. (MT)

Examined construct validity of assessment center final dimension ratings within a nomological network of cognitive and personality measures. Employees (N=411) completed four tests. Results suggest that final dimension ratings possess construct validity and the assessors can differentiate between two broad categories of assessment dimensions.…

Discusses design and evaluation concepts and methodologies in the context of comprehensive system design (CSD) and considers the concept of error throughout. Topics addressed include six core concepts of CSD; design processes; evaluation concepts; evaluation processes, including criterion-related validity, construct validity, and systemic…

To assess the construct validity of Holland, Daiger, and Power's (1980) measure of Vocational Identity (VI), three personality and four vocational variables were correlated to the VI scale. The results provided evidence of both convergent and discriminant validity for the VI scale. (Author)

Investigated the factor structure of the Study Process Questionnaire (SPQ), a 42-item questionnaire designed to measure approaches to learning, using a theoretical approach and found strong support for the three approaches to learning structure of the instrument. (EV)

The present study was designed to examine construct validity of two identity status measures, the Ego Identity Process Questionnaire (EIPQ; J. Adolescence 18 (1995) 179) and the Extended Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status II (EOM-EIS-II; J. Adolescent Res. 1 (1986) 183). Construct validity was operationalized in terms of how identity status…

The Implicit Association Test (IAT) requires responding to category contrasts such as young versus old, male versus female, and pleasant versus unpleasant. In introducing the IAT, A. G. Greenwald, D. E. McGhee, and J. L. K. Schwartz (1998) proposed that IAT measures reflect mental structures involving the nominal features of the IAT's categories…

To validate a measure of a construct is to validate a theory: The process includes theory specification, theory elaboration, choice of methods, choice of research design, reliance on necessary auxiliary theories, and empirical observation. Evaluating the success of the process is likely to be enhanced through quantification. To date, scientists…

Measurement properties of scores from the Preventive Resources Inventory (C. J. McCarthy & R. G. Lambert, 2001), a measure of stress-prevention resources, were evaluated. Sample-specific construct validity of 3 primary scales was supported. A 4th, Self-Acceptance, functioned as a higher order factor. Differences were found between those reporting…