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validity

Definition of Validity

(noun) When a measurement accurately reflects what is measured.

Example of Validity

  • A scale at the grocery store accurately weighing produce.

Validity Pronunciation

Pronunciation Usage Guide

Syllabification: va·lid·i·ty

Audio Pronunciation

– American English
– British English

Phonetic Spelling

  • American English – /vuh-lId-uh-tee/
  • British English – /vuh-lId-i-tee/

International Phonetic Alphabet

  • American English – /vəˈlɪdəti/
  • British English – /vəˈlɪdɪti/

Usage Notes

  • Plural: validities
  • Not to be confused with reliability, which is when the outcome of a measurement is consistent. For example, a thermometer can be 10 degrees off and be reliable by giving a consistent measurement, however it is not valid because it is registering an incorrect temperature.

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Additional Information

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Works Consulted

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Cite the Definition of Validity

ASA – American Sociological Association (5th edition)

Bell, Kenton, ed. 2013. “validity.” In Open Education Sociology Dictionary. Retrieved April 25, 2024 (https://sociologydictionary.org/validity/).

APA – American Psychological Association (6th edition)

validity. (2013). In K. Bell (Ed.), Open education sociology dictionary. Retrieved from https://sociologydictionary.org/validity/

Chicago/Turabian: Author-Date – Chicago Manual of Style (16th edition)

Bell, Kenton, ed. 2013. “validity.” In Open Education Sociology Dictionary. Accessed April 25, 2024. https://sociologydictionary.org/validity/.

MLA – Modern Language Association (7th edition)

“validity.” Open Education Sociology Dictionary. Ed. Kenton Bell. 2013. Web. 25 Apr. 2024. <https://sociologydictionary.org/validity/>.