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Kendra's Psychology Blog

By Kendra Van Wagner, About.com Guide to Psychology since 2005

What is Validity?

Thursday May 4, 2006
Psychological assessment is an important part of both experimental research and clinical treatment. One of the greatest concerns when creating a psychological test is whether or not it actually measures what we think it is measuring. For example, a test might be designed to measure a stable personality trait, but instead measure transitory emotions generated by situational or environmental conditions. A valid test ensures that the results are an accurate reflection of the dimension undergoing assessment.

Learn more: What is Validity?

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