Which statement best describes construct validity?

Which statement best describes construct validity?

• A. It assesses the stability of scores over time
• B. It is identical to content validity
• C. It assesses whether a test measures the intended theoretical construct
• D. It determines the test's sensitivity

Answer: (C)

Construct validity asks whether a test truly measures the theoretical trait it’s designed to assess. It’s supported by evidence that the test relates to other measures of the same construct in expected ways, and that its internal structure matches how the construct is theoretically organized. This differs from reliability, which is about the stability of scores over time, and from content validity, which concerns whether the test items adequately cover the domain of the construct. It also isn’t about sensitivity, which relates to a test’s ability to detect a condition or change. In short, a test with solid construct validity demonstrates that it is actually measuring the intended theoretical trait.

Construct validity asks whether a test truly measures the theoretical trait it’s designed to assess. It’s supported by evidence that the test relates to other measures of the same construct in expected ways, and that its internal structure matches how the construct is theoretically organized. This differs from reliability, which is about the stability of scores over time, and from content validity, which concerns whether the test items adequately cover the domain of the construct. It also isn’t about sensitivity, which relates to a test’s ability to detect a condition or change. In short, a test with solid construct validity demonstrates that it is actually measuring the intended theoretical trait.