On Validity

Abstract

The way in which validity has been conceptualized has changed throughout the years. The focus in validation studies shifted from evaluating distinct components of validity to developing a comprehensive argument for the use and interpretations of test scores. The argument-based approach to validity incorporates the distinct types of the componential approach, underscores Messick’s attention to construct validity, highlights the need for evidence of the evidence-gathering approach, and combines it all into one logical argumentative structure. Such a comprehensive argument is now an indispensable part of validity studies (Dursun & Li, 2021).