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Validity and Truth

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New Developments in Psychometrics

Summary

This paper analyzes the semantics of test validity. First, a simple definition of validity is given: Test X is valid for the measurement of attribute Y, if and only if the proposition ‘Scores on test X measure attribute Y’ is true. We analyze the meaning of validity by examining the truth conditions of the proposition. These truth conditions depend on the interpretation of the term ‘measures’. Three measurement systems that may provide such an interpretation are examined: Fundamental measurement theory, classical test theory, and latent variable theory. It is argued that the semantics of validity depend on the choice of measurement system. Because there is no logically or empirically compelling argument for or against any particular theory, the meaning of validity is to a certain extent indeterminate.

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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Denny Borsboom Jaap van Heerden & Gideon J. Mellenbergh

Authors
  1. Denny Borsboom Jaap van Heerden
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  2. Gideon J. Mellenbergh
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Editor information

H. Yanai A. Okada K. Shigemasu Y. Kano J. J. Meulman

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© 2003 Springer Japan

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van Heerden, D.B.J., Mellenbergh, G.J. (2003). Validity and Truth. In: Yanai, H., Okada, A., Shigemasu, K., Kano, Y., Meulman, J.J. (eds) New Developments in Psychometrics. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-66996-8_36

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-66996-8_36

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Tokyo

  • Print ISBN: 978-4-431-66998-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-4-431-66996-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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