Which type of validity looks at whether a test measures what it's supposed to measure?

• A. Face validity
• B. Content validity
• C. Construct validity
• D. Concurrent validity

Answer: (C)

Construct validity is the type of validity that assesses whether a test effectively measures the theoretical construct it claims to measure. This involves establishing that the test is not only related to other measures of the same construct (convergent validity) but also distinct from measures of different constructs (discriminant validity).

A test with strong construct validity ensures that the underlying theoretical framework is accurately represented by the test outcomes. For example, if the test purports to measure intelligence, construct validity would be evidenced through its correlation to other established intelligence measures and the absence of relationships with measures of unrelated constructs, such as emotional intelligence.

Face validity relates to how suitable a test appears to be on the surface, which does not guarantee that it measures the intended construct accurately. Content validity involves ensuring the test covers all relevant aspects of the construct but does not address the underlying theoretical relationships. Concurrent validity focuses on the relationship between test scores and other measurements taken at the same time, which emphasizes criterion-related measures rather than the theoretical framework of what is being measured. Thus, while these other types of validity play important roles, they do not embody the comprehensive assessment that construct validity provides regarding a test’s ability to measure its intended target accurately.