Validity (A2 only)
Psychology: AQA A Level, topic 7.2.10
Validity
Validity is when a test measures what it is intended to measure. There are four types of validity: face, concurrent, ecological and temporal.
Face validity
- Face validity is when a participant looks at a test and can tell what it is supposed to measure.
- An example would be a GCSE maths test.
- The students should know what the style of question should look like and the level of difficulty.
- If the student were to see simple addition/subtraction questions, the student would doubt the validity of the test.
Face validity example
- Another example would be if a student were to sit a biology paper and see questions in French, the student would doubt the validity.
Concurrent validity
- Concurrent validity is when a test will produce the same (or similar) results to a benchmark test.
- An example would be when students write mock exams.
- If a student were to sit similar style papers as their actual GCSE and get similar results, there would be high concurrent validity.
Concurrent validity cont.
- Concurrent validity makes sure that similar tests are produced.
- This is crucial especially for IQ tests which are given out to thousands of people.
- People would want to know that their IQ was accurately measured even if different tests were given.
Ecological validity
- Ecological validity is how well a test reflects real life situations.
- An example would be a driver’s test.
- A learner driver should be able to park, merge, and brake during their test because these will all be real-life scenarios when driving.
Temporal validity
- Temporal validity is how well a test’s results stand over time.
- An example would be GCSE results.
- GCSEs should have temporal validity to make sure that over the years, colleges and universities know what A/A* students are capable of.
Measurement of Validity
Validity is when a test measures what it is set out to measure. There are simple ways to make sure a test is valid: looking at the test, comparing the test and predicting results.
Face validity
- Looking at a test can be a way to ensure face validity.
- Students know what a French exam looks like. So by simply looking through a French test, they can make sure that the test has face validity.
Ecological validity
- This can also be true to measure for ecological validity.
- People know what real-life scenarios they are going to be in. So examining a test for ecological validity is straightforward.
Concurrent validity
- Comparing test results to an established test can ensure concurrent validity.
- For example, a new personality test could be benchmarked to an older personality test, allowing for concurrent validity.
Temporal validity
- Predicting results on a future test from a past test can ensure temporal validity.
- For example, GCSE teachers will use mock exam results to predict their students’ future grades.
- If the tests are similar (and assuming the student has not revised/improved), then there is temporal validity.
Test yourself on Validity (A2 only)
Comparing test results to an established test can ensure what kind of validity?
Predicting results on a future test from a past test can ensure what kind of validity?