Which type of validity assesses whether the content of a test is consistent with what it is intended to measure?

Content validity assesses whether the items or content of a test adequately represent the construct that the test aims to measure. It focuses on the relevance and appropriateness of the test content in relation to the specific domain or subject area. Ensuring strong content validity means that the test measures the intended concept without including irrelevant items, thereby accurately reflecting what it is supposed to assess. This type of validity is particularly important in fields like education and psychology, where measures need to align closely with curricular goals or psychological constructs.

Predictive validity relates to how well a test can predict outcomes or behaviors in the future, which is distinct from evaluating the content itself. Construct validity checks how well the test measures the theoretical construct it claims to measure but involves a broader range of evidence than just the content alignment. Criterial validity, often referred to as criterion-related validity, typically evaluates how well one measure correlates with another established measure. In contrast, content validity is specifically focused on the test items and their representation of the intended content area.