Constructing validity: Basic issues in objective scale development

Author(s): Watson, D.

Journal/Book: Psychol Assessment. 1995; 7: 750 First St NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242. Amer Psychological Assoc. 309-319.

Abstract: A primary goal of scale development is to create a valid measure of an underlying construct. We discuss theoretical principles, practical issues, and pragmatic decisions to help developers maximize the construct validity of scales and subscales. First, it is essential to begin with a clear conceptualization of the target construct. Moreover, the content of the initial item pool should be overinclusive and item wording needs careful attention. Next, the item pool should be tested, along with variables that assess closely related constructs, on a heterogeneous sample representing the entire range of the target population. Finally, in selecting scale items, the goal is unidimensionality rather than internal consistency; this means that virtually all interitem correlations should be moderate in magnitude. Factor analysis can play a crucial role in ensuring the unidimensionality and discriminant validity of scales.

Note: Article LA Clark, Univ Iowa, Dept Psychol, 311 Seashore Hall, Iowa City, IA 52242 USA

Keyword(s): COEFFICIENT ALPHA; PERSONALITY

Zurück | Weiter