Grace M. answered • 05/04/23
PhD student and experienced tutor
There are actually a few different types of validity in empirical research!
Overall, validity refers to how accurately we are measuring the concept we are hoping to measure. For example, if we create a survey in hopes of studying depression rates among adults, but the questions on it actually measure anxiety instead of depression, this study would be lacking validity.
The specific types of validity are construct validity, content validity, and criterion validity.
Construct validity refers to whether or not the measures being used are accurate enough to make inferences based on the study. Measures are usually formulated based on existing theoretical perspectives and previous successful studies to ensure that the study has content validity.
Content validity ensures that every aspect of a variable is being measured. The instruments being used should not overlook important pieces of a complex variable.
Criterion validity means that different measurements - such as different questions in a survey - are all measuring the same variable. In this example, if respondents score high one measure of depression but low on another measure, the study is lacking criterion validity. These questions would not be targeting the same variable.
