Construct validity concerns the relationship between a measure and other variables within what framework?

Construct validity concerns the relationship between a measure and other variables within what framework?

• A. A system of theoretical relationships.
• B. A simple correlation with another measure.
• C. The reliability of repeated measurements.
• D. The ease of administration.

Answer: (A)

Construct validity is about whether a measure behaves as theory predicts within a network of relationships. It examines how the scores relate to other variables in a coherent, theory-driven system (often called a nomological network). This means the measure should show expected associations with related constructs (convergent validity) and weaker or non-existent associations with unrelated ones (discriminant validity), all grounded in the theoretical framework surrounding the construct. A simple correlation with one other measure doesn’t capture the full pattern of theoretically predicted relationships, and reliability or ease of administration don’t address whether the measure truly taps the intended construct.

Construct validity is about whether a measure behaves as theory predicts within a network of relationships. It examines how the scores relate to other variables in a coherent, theory-driven system (often called a nomological network). This means the measure should show expected associations with related constructs (convergent validity) and weaker or non-existent associations with unrelated ones (discriminant validity), all grounded in the theoretical framework surrounding the construct. A simple correlation with one other measure doesn’t capture the full pattern of theoretically predicted relationships, and reliability or ease of administration don’t address whether the measure truly taps the intended construct.