Question

A) Define validity, as it relates to selection measures. B) Explain the difference between content validation, criterion-related validation, and construct validation.

NOTE: Support your explanation with the word count of approximately 100 words in each alphabet category (A, B, C, D) with a total of about 400-450 words.

Answer 1

A. Validity refers to the extent that the instrument measures what it was designed to measure. In research, there are three ways to approach validity and they include content validity, construct validity, and criterion-related validity.

Validity is the difference between what a selection test actually measures and what it aims to measure. Validity is defined as 'the agreement between a test score or measure and the quality it is believed to measure' (Kaplan and Saccuzzo, 2001). The validity of a particular test used for assessment is really important since it has a huge impact on the results. These tests can be both for selection or appraisal and the continued use of tests - which are not valid for the organisation - reflects poorly on the talent management of the organisation. Test validity helps the manager to understand the market that he is looking at that in turn helps him design the employer branding. Test validity also helps him to objectively quantify the results.

B. Content validity measures the extent to which the items that comprise the scale accurately represent or measure the information that is being assessed. Are the questions that are asked representative of the possible questions that could be asked?

Construct validity measures what the calculated scores mean and if they can be generalized. Construct validity uses statistical analyses, such as correlations, to verify the relevance of the questions. Questions from an existing, similar instrument, that has been found reliable, can be correlated with questions from the instrument under examination to determine if construct validity is present. If the scores are highly correlated it is called convergent validity. If convergent validity exists, construct validity is supported.

Criterion-related validity has to do with how well the scores from the instrument predict a known outcome they are expected to predict. Statistical analyses, such as correlations, are used to determine if criterion-related validity exists. Scores from the instrument in question should be correlated with an item they are known to predict. If a correlation of > .60 exists, criterion related validity exists as well.