Validity: External, Internal, and Construct

Validity

In research paradigm, validity and reliability are the most basic characteristic issues used in qualitative and quantitative analysis. Validity as a psychometric standard is embedded in a positivist approach, which is relevant in reflecting on the qualitative point of view ascribed to the establishment of the truth. In view of this, definition of positivism ascribe to a theory systematic to validity. Additionally, other empirical conceptions culminating from resided validity include truth, deduction, universal laws, evidence, reason, and actuality among others.

For any qualitative research conducted, validity as a concept is a determinant that measures the truth concerning the investigation. Validity is measured by researchers by asking questions and answers are retrieved from other people’s research work (Joppe, 2000, p. 1). Other researchers define validity in quantitative research as construct validity. Construct implies initial concept, hypothesis, notion or question determining data gathered and method of data collection. However, quantitative practitioners affirm the cause or effect interplay between data and construct for validation of investigation by applying test procedures or processes (Golafshani, 2003, p. 599). As a result, with regard to validity, researchers conclude that, it is whether measurements of the mean are accurate or they are measuring the intended features. Accuracy of the mean helps in relating the cause-and-effect relationship present in internal validity.

The above definition is associated with quantitative research methodology. It summarizes that validity to be the extent in which instruments measure the exact thing it purports to measure. An example of validity in research is ...

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...nformation provided during the course of study. In the case of project construction management, leaders need to be aware of the variables affecting internal and external validity to be able to convince the readers on aspects introduced and needing further research.

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Trochim, W., & Donnelly, J. (2008). Chapters 1, 3, 5, 6, 7