Validity in Rehabilitation Research: Description and Classification

Abstract

There is a considerable body of literature on research validity across diferent disciplines.With regard to rehabilitation research, however, this body is narrow and warrants further consideration. Classiication of research validity has been considered and developed over the past six decades; however, a literature search returned no comprehensive discussion that has gathered all available classiications under an overarching umbrella. The aim of this chapter is to provide an all-inclusive classiication of diferent types of research validity, focusing on rehabilitation research. A basic review of the body of literature available was conducted. Diferent classiications of validity in the literature were recognized, considered, uniied, and are presented in this chapter. Moreover, the main threats to each type of validity and some strategies to minimize them are discussed. A classiication of all types of validity in rehabilitation research is presented in this chapter. Furthermore, the mater of priority between these research validities is discussed. It is concluded that while all types of research validities are important to be considered, maximizing all of them in one research project is sometimes controversial. Thus, researchers should make a situation-based trade-of between diferent aspects of validity in order to optimize the overall validity of their research.

Malay Translation of Attitudes Toward Career Counselling Scale for University Students in Malaysia

“…Establishing the validity and reliability of research instruments is crucial for ensuring the quality and trustworthiness of scientific findings. Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Exploratory Factor Analysis are valuable statistical techniques for evaluating instrument validity, encompassing content, construct, and criterion-related validity [26]. While content validity primarily relies on rational analysis of how well items represent the intended construct, EFA can support this by uncovering the underlying factor structure and ensuring item alignment [27].…”

“…Criterion-related validity, which assesses the relationship between instrument scores and external criteria, can also be investigated using CFA and EFA by examining the relationships between factors and external measures [28]. By employing both techniques, researchers gain a comprehensive understanding of an instrument's validity, ensuring it accurately measures the intended constructs and relates appropriately to relevant criteria [26].…”

Validity and Reliability of the Malay Version of the Planned Happenstance Career Inventory for Malaysian University Students

“…In the pursuit of robust and reliable scientific findings, the quality of research instruments used to collect data is paramount. Establishing the validity and reliability of these instruments is not merely a procedural necessity but a fundamental step in ensuring the trustworthiness and integrity of research outcomes [26]. Two statistical techniques, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), emerge as powerful tools for researchers engaged in the critical task of instrument validation, offering practical benefits such as improved data quality and more accurate research outcomes [27].…”

“…CFA and EFA offer a comprehensive approach to evaluating instrument validity, encompassing various facets such as content validity, construct validity, and criterion-related validity [26] Content validity, focusing on how well the instrument's items represent the intended construct, benefits from both rational analysis and the application of EFA . EFA plays a crucial role in uncovering the underlying factor structure of the instrument, ensuring that items are aligned and contribute meaningfully to the measurement of the intended construct [28] .…”

Investigating the test-retest reliability of Illinois Agility Test for wheelchair users

“…However, they only measured the time to finish the test and not other important biomechanical factors. This is important because when using an assessment tool for measuring an outcome we need to be confident that this tool will create similar results if used sometime later [ 16 ].…”