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Test Validity

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology

  • 20 Accesses

Synonyms

Concurrent validity; Content validity; Criterion validity; Ecological validity; Predictive validity

Definition

Because clinical neuropsychologists tend to utilize tests more than other clinical psychologists, they have significant concerns regarding test validity. Test validity is highly related to test reliability, but validity and reliability are actually two different kinds of test characteristics. Generally speaking, test validity refers to the extent to which a test accurately measures the construct of interest. Test reliability refers to the extent to which a test measures without error. A memory test should be an accurate index of memory function and should not reflect aspects of mood or creativity. Because neuropsychological tests can be used in different ways (e.g., localization of lesion site, prediction of functioning in a work setting, degree to which an individual can live independently) it can be seen that it is not the test which is valid, but the use of that...

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References and Readings

  • American Educational Research Association and the American Psychological Association. (1999). Standards for educational and psychological tests. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

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  • Franzen, M. D. (2000). Reliability and validity in neuropsychological assessment (2nd ed.). New York: Plenum.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Michael Franzen

Authors
  1. Michael Franzen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael Franzen .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA

    Jeffrey S. Kreutzer

  2. Kessler Foundation, Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ, USA

    John DeLuca

  3. Independent Practice, Wynnewood, PA, USA

    Bruce Caplan

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Franzen, M. (2018). Test Validity. In: Kreutzer, J.S., DeLuca, J., Caplan, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57111-9_2242

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