Criterion-Related Validity

Authors

Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Criterion validity is one of three main components of validity and explains how well the test in question relates to the “gold standard” of the same construct. Most patient-reported outcomes have no “gold standard” and thus researchers should determine convergent validity instead of criterion validity¹.

Criterion validity has 2 forms:¹

1. Concurrent validity
2. Predictive Validity

Note

Some articles reference a 3rd form of criterion validity, known as “prescriptive validity”².

The key feature of a criterion validity approach is that there must be a ‘‘gold standard’’ criterion against which scores on the focal measure can be assessed.

Concurrent Validity

Concurrent Validity is a type of criterion validity that tests whether a measure is consistent with the “gold standard,” measured at the same time¹.

Predictive Validity

Predictive Validity is a type of criterion validity that tests whether a measure can predict the outcome of the gold standard measured at a future point in time¹

References

1.

Polit DF. Assessing measurement in health: Beyond reliability and validity. International Journal of Nursing Studies. 2015;52(11):1746-1753. doi:10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2015.07.002

2.

Sim J, Arnell P. Measurement validity in physical therapy research. Physical Therapy. 1993;73(2):102-110; discussion 110-115. doi:10.1093/ptj/73.2.102