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. 2005 Oct;40(5 Pt 2):1584-604.
doi: 10.1111/j.1475-6773.2005.00443.x.

Validity of measures is no simple matter

Lee Sechrest  1
Affiliations

Validity of measures is no simple matter

Lee Sechrest. Health Serv Res. 2005 Oct.

Abstract

Purpose and method: This article aims to promote a better understanding of the nature of measurement, the special problems posed by measurement in the social sciences, and the inevitable limitations on inferences in science (so that results are not overinterpreted), by using the measurement of blood pressure as an example. As it is necessary to raise questions about the meaning and extent of the validity of something as common as measured blood pressure, even more serious questions are unavoidable in relation to other commonly used measures in social science. The central issue is the validity of the inferences about the construct rather than the validity of the measure per se.

Conclusion: It is important to consider the definition and validity of the construct at issue as well as the adequacy of its representation in the measurement instrument. By considering a particular construct within the context of a conceptual model, researchers and clinicians will improve their understanding of the construct's validity as measured.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Model for Disease, Blood Pressure, and Outcomes
Figure 2
Figure 2
Latent Variable Model
Figure 3
Figure 3
Self-Report Model with Latent Variable Omitted
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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