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Disagreement over the Best Way to Use the Word 'Validity' and Options for Reaching Consensus

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Disagreement over the Best Way to Use the Word 'Validity' and Options for Reaching Consensus
Language: English
Authors: Newton, Paul E., Shaw, Stuart D.
Source: Assessment in Education: Principles, Policy & Practice. 2016 23(2):178-197.
Availability: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 20
Publication Date: 2016
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Evaluative
Descriptors: Test Validity, Validity, Ambiguity (Semantics), Psychological Testing, Educational Testing, Ideology, Educational Philosophy, Educational Quality, Opinions, Individual Differences, Program Validation
DOI: 10.1080/0969594X.2015.1037241
ISSN: 0969-594X
Abstract: The ability to convey shared meaning with minimal ambiguity is highly desirable for technical terms within disciplines and professions. Unfortunately, there is no widespread professional consensus over the meaning of the word "validity" as it pertains to educational and psychological testing. After illustrating the nature and extent of disagreement, we consider three options for reaching consensus: to eliminate its ambiguity by agreeing a precise technical definition; to embrace its ambiguity by agreeing a catchall lay usage; and to retire "validity" from the testing lexicon.
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 97
Entry Date: 2016
Accession Number: EJ1104509
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:The ability to convey shared meaning with minimal ambiguity is highly desirable for technical terms within disciplines and professions. Unfortunately, there is no widespread professional consensus over the meaning of the word "validity" as it pertains to educational and psychological testing. After illustrating the nature and extent of disagreement, we consider three options for reaching consensus: to eliminate its ambiguity by agreeing a precise technical definition; to embrace its ambiguity by agreeing a catchall lay usage; and to retire "validity" from the testing lexicon.
ISSN:0969-594X
DOI:10.1080/0969594X.2015.1037241