Predictive validity involves comparing a measure with what?

Predictive validity involves comparing a measure with what?

• A. A predicted future outcome.
• B. The present measures from different tools.
• C. Another instrument administered at the same time.
• D. A theoretical construct.

Answer: (A)

Predictive validity is about whether a measurement can forecast something that will happen in the future. To evaluate it, you administer the measure now and then, after a defined time, see if the predicted outcome occurs. This is why the best answer is a predicted future outcome—the criterion used to judge the measure is something that will be observed later. For example, a screening tool used with clients might be tested for predictive validity by seeing if scores predict future treatment adherence or symptom improvement. Other options describe different types of validity: comparing with present measures from other tools relates to using concurrent information, using another instrument at the same time examines concurrent validity, and a theoretical construct points to construct validity.

Predictive validity is about whether a measurement can forecast something that will happen in the future. To evaluate it, you administer the measure now and then, after a defined time, see if the predicted outcome occurs. This is why the best answer is a predicted future outcome—the criterion used to judge the measure is something that will be observed later. For example, a screening tool used with clients might be tested for predictive validity by seeing if scores predict future treatment adherence or symptom improvement. Other options describe different types of validity: comparing with present measures from other tools relates to using concurrent information, using another instrument at the same time examines concurrent validity, and a theoretical construct points to construct validity.