Validiteetti

Validiteetti is the Finnish term for validity in measurement theory. It denotes the extent to which evidence supports the interpretations and uses of test scores or measurements. Validiteetti concerns the meaning and consequences of inferences drawn from results, not only the technical properties of a test. A measure can be reliable (consistent) but still invalid for a particular purpose if the interpretations or decisions based on it are inappropriate.

Common types of validity include content validity, criterion-related validity (which covers concurrent and predictive validity), and construct validity (which encompasses convergent and discriminant validity). Some discussions also mention face validity, which reflects whether a measure appears appropriate to test-takers, and ecological validity, which concerns applicability to real-world settings. In practice, validity is often viewed as a unitary concept supported by multiple lines of evidence rather than a single test.

Validity evidence is gathered from several sources: expert reviews of whether items adequately cover the domain of interest; correlations with external criteria that the measure should predict or relate to; factor analyses and other psychometric methods that test the underlying structure; and experimental or longitudinal studies demonstrating expected relationships or outcomes. Additionally, the consequences of using the measure—such as decision outcomes and fairness—are considered as part of the validity assessment.

In Finnish research and education, validiteetti guides the development, evaluation, and interpretation of assessments across psychology, educational testing, and health measurement. The modern view emphasizes accumulating diverse validity evidence to support appropriate and meaningful use.