Construct validity relates to measuring in expected ways to which of the following?

Construct validity refers to the extent to which a test or measurement tool accurately measures the theoretical construct it is intended to measure. This type of validity is evaluated by examining how well the measure correlates with other variables that it is theoretically expected to correlate with.

Choosing other variables as the correct answer is appropriate because construct validity is fundamentally about the relationships between a measure and other relevant variables. If a measurement shows strong relationships with other variables that are aligned with the theoretical framework, it supports the idea that the measure is effectively capturing the intended construct. For instance, if a scale designed to measure depression shows a significant negative relationship with a scale measuring life satisfaction, it suggests that both scales are measuring constructs that are related in the expected way.

The other choices represent aspects that may be important to evaluation or research, but they don’t capture the essence of construct validity as effectively. For instance, while comparisons with other measurement tools can provide insights into reliability or concurrent validity, they are not directly related to the theoretical framework. Similarly, previous studies may inform context but do not necessarily relate to the construct’s validity in measurement. Operational definitions are crucial for clarity and implementation but are more about the practical application of concepts rather than the validation of their underlying constructs.