Topic: validity and its influence - Essay Example

Validity and its influence Validity and its influence According to this posting, content validity affects construct validity. Construct validity is the reliability or the trustworthiness of the scale to test a theoretical concept while content validity refers to testing of the actual elements in a study using a specific instrument. Post demonstrates how content validity affects construct validity by using the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) to show narcissism characteristics. For instance, the post demonstrates how changing the content of the NPI scale affects the study results.

The study showed that the use of different or separate scales content results into separate classification of narcissism. This implies that the use of different sale scores affects the content validity of the instruments which in turn influences construct validity. The study emphasizes on the effective usage of criterion group during diagnosis. The use of Shedler Western Assessment Procedure (SWAP) to test the three types of PN displayed different psychological functioning. As such, the researchers propose an analysis of traits of narcissism both at clinical and sub-clinical levels.

They recommend the use of accurate instruments in order to measure the exact levels of normal and pathological narcissism. They also propose further studies in order to demonstrate the different characteristics of narcissism displayed by different instruments. I support the post because content validity affects the validity of a study results. This can also be applied in other areas other than research. For instance, when testing students’ mathematical skills, it will not be effective for a teacher to use vocabulary tests.

This is because vocabulary test will not show the student’s mathematical skills. In this example, mathematical skill is the content validity while vocabulary test is the construct validity. This proves that content validity affects construct validity (Andrew 2007).Validity how well it measures According to this post, validity refers to the elements being measures in a test and how accurate the test measures them. In order to avoid validity errors there is need to conduct various vilidy tests.

The author compares the accuracy of validity with the construct of trust. Trust is an important part of relationships which is difficult to measure because there is no accurate method of measuring it. Researchers conducted a study to measure relative validity in social relationships. The content validity measured in this test was respect, support, trust, and effective commitment. The study outcomes proved that Affect Based-Trust (ABT) was the most effective content-valid in social exchange relationships.

Another study also confirmed that trust scale patterns are the most effective content validity in social relationship studies. I support the results of the study because trust is a very important element in social relationships. It is also an indicator of long-term social relationships. This is because trust enables one look for emotional support from other people. It is difficult to get emotional support from people we do not trust because one cannot share his problems with such people. Trust is also the foundation of other indicators of social relationships such as commitments and friendship.

People only commit to people they trust. They also create true friendships with trustworthy individuals. As such, I agree with this post that trust scale patterns are the most reliable tools of determining social exchange relationships (Graf & Perrien, 2005).ReferencesAndrew, B. (2007). Factors that influence validity: end-points, duration and bias. Information Master,18 (2). Retrieved from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/psb.21/pdfGraf, R. & Perrien, J. (2005). The role of trust and satisfaction in a relationship.

Communications Articles. Retrieved from: http://www.chaire-msf.uqam.ca/pages/pdf/role_of_trust.pdf