Content validity is best described as:

Content validity is best described as:

• A. Analysis of an instrument by experts in the field.
• B. Correlation with another test.
• C. The consistency of scores over time.
• D. The ability of a test to distinguish groups.

Answer: (A)

Content validity focuses on whether the test items collectively cover the domain they’re meant to assess. The best way to establish this is to have experts in the field review the instrument to ensure the items are relevant and representative of the content area. That’s why analysis of an instrument by experts fits content validity exactly. Other options describe different psychometric properties: correlating with another test speaks to criterion validity (how well the test relates to an external standard); showing scores are consistent over time reflects reliability (test-retest reliability); and the ability to distinguish between groups pertains to validity evidence from known-group or construct validity, not content coverage.

Content validity focuses on whether the test items collectively cover the domain they’re meant to assess. The best way to establish this is to have experts in the field review the instrument to ensure the items are relevant and representative of the content area. That’s why analysis of an instrument by experts fits content validity exactly.

Other options describe different psychometric properties: correlating with another test speaks to criterion validity (how well the test relates to an external standard); showing scores are consistent over time reflects reliability (test-retest reliability); and the ability to distinguish between groups pertains to validity evidence from known-group or construct validity, not content coverage.