In order to be useful, a test must be reliable. In other words, it must:
A. produce the same results from one time to the next.
B. predict other criteria of the trait being measured.
C. measure what it is designed to measure.
D. compare results against established standards of performance
http://www.uni.edu/chfasoa/reliabilityandvalidity.htm
The correct answer is C. measure what it is designed to measure.
To determine this, it is essential to evaluate the test's validity. Validity refers to the extent to which a test accurately measures what it intends to measure. To assess a test's validity, you can follow these steps:
1. Review the test's purpose and objectives: Understand what the test aims to measure and whether it aligns with the intended concept or trait.
2. Examine the test design: Evaluate whether the test's format, questions, and tasks are appropriate and relevant to the targeted concept or trait.
3. Consider the expert opinion: Seek input from domain experts who possess knowledge and expertise in the area being tested. They can provide insights on the alignment between the test and the trait it intends to measure.
4. Analyze the content validity: Assess whether the test's content fully represents the concept or trait being measured. This can be achieved by comparing the test items to a comprehensive list of what the trait entails.
5. Gather evidence: Conduct statistical analyses to determine whether the test scores are related to the concept or trait it aims to measure. This can involve correlations, factor analysis, or comparing scores to other established measures of the trait.
By following these steps, you can evaluate a test's validity and determine if it measures what it is designed to measure accurately.