{"id":10965,"date":"2025-03-03T01:51:56","date_gmt":"2025-03-03T01:51:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/?p=10965"},"modified":"2026-08-27T04:06:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T04:06:13","slug":"what-is-criterion-validity-definition-types-and-examples","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-criterion-validity-definition-types-and-examples\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Criterion Validity? Definition, Types and Examples"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul>\n<li>Criterion validity measures how well a test&#8217;s results align with a trusted, established benchmark for the same construct.<\/li>\n<li>There are 3 types: concurrent, predictive, and retrospective validity, distinguished by when the criterion is measured relative to the test.<\/li>\n<li>Criterion validity is calculated using correlation coefficients such as Pearson r or point-biserial r, typically run in Excel, R, or SPSS.<\/li>\n<li>A test is only as valid as its criterion. A flawed or biased gold standard undermines the entire validity assessment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-criterion-validity-definition-types-and-examples\/#What_Is_Criterion_Validity\" >What Is Criterion Validity?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-criterion-validity-definition-types-and-examples\/#Why_Does_Criterion_Validity_Matter_in_Research\" >Why Does Criterion Validity Matter in Research?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-criterion-validity-definition-types-and-examples\/#Types_of_Criterion_Validity\" >Types of Criterion Validity<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-criterion-validity-definition-types-and-examples\/#Concurrent_Validity\" >Concurrent Validity<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-criterion-validity-definition-types-and-examples\/#Predictive_Validity\" >Predictive Validity<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-criterion-validity-definition-types-and-examples\/#Retrospective_Validity\" >Retrospective Validity<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-criterion-validity-definition-types-and-examples\/#How_Do_You_Choose_a_Good_Criterion\" >How Do You Choose a Good Criterion?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-criterion-validity-definition-types-and-examples\/#How_Is_Criterion_Validity_Calculated\" >How Is Criterion Validity Calculated?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-criterion-validity-definition-types-and-examples\/#What_Counts_as_a_Good_Criterion_Validity_Score\" >What Counts as a Good Criterion Validity Score?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-criterion-validity-definition-types-and-examples\/#Limitations_of_Criterion_Validity\" >Limitations of Criterion Validity<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-criterion-validity-definition-types-and-examples\/#Criterion_Validity_vs_Other_Types_of_Validity\" >Criterion Validity vs Other Types of Validity<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-criterion-validity-definition-types-and-examples\/#Worked_Example_Measuring_Happiness\" >Worked Example: Measuring Happiness<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-criterion-validity-definition-types-and-examples\/#What_is_the_difference_between_criterion_validity_and_construct_validity\" >What is the difference between criterion validity and construct validity?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-criterion-validity-definition-types-and-examples\/#Is_criterion_validity_the_same_as_predictive_validity\" >Is criterion validity the same as predictive validity?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-criterion-validity-definition-types-and-examples\/#What_is_a_good_correlation_coefficient_for_criterion_validity\" >What is a good correlation coefficient for criterion validity?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-criterion-validity-definition-types-and-examples\/#How_do_you_calculate_criterion_validity_in_SPSS_or_R\" >How do you calculate criterion validity in SPSS or R?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-criterion-validity-definition-types-and-examples\/#What_is_an_example_of_criterion_validity_in_psychology\" >What is an example of criterion validity in psychology?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-criterion-validity-definition-types-and-examples\/#Why_is_criterion_validity_important_in_employee_selection_tests\" >Why is criterion validity important in employee selection tests?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-criterion-validity-definition-types-and-examples\/#What_is_the_difference_between_concurrent_and_predictive_validity\" >What is the difference between concurrent and predictive validity?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-criterion-validity-definition-types-and-examples\/#Can_a_test_have_criterion_validity_but_not_be_truly_valid_overall\" >Can a test have criterion validity but not be truly valid overall?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_Criterion_Validity\"><\/span>What Is Criterion Validity?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Criterion validity is the degree to which a test&#8217;s scores correlate with a trusted, established measure, called a criterion, of the same construct. It shows whether a new tool actually reflects the real-world outcome it claims to measure.<\/p>\n<p>Many research constructs, such as depression, intelligence, or stress, cannot be observed directly. Researchers instead build tests and questionnaires to approximate them. Criterion validity checks whether those approximations hold up against a recognized external benchmark, often called a gold standard.<\/p>\n<p>For example, a psychologist develops a new anxiety questionnaire. To confirm it works, they compare its scores against a well-established clinical anxiety assessment. If both tools produce similar results, the new questionnaire demonstrates criterion validity.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Does_Criterion_Validity_Matter_in_Research\"><\/span>Why Does Criterion Validity Matter in Research?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Criterion validity matters because researchers, clinicians, and employers rely on test scores to make real decisions about people. Without it, there is no evidence that a test measures anything meaningful.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Builds trust in new or shorter instruments before they replace established, lengthier ones.<\/li>\n<li>Supports high-stakes decisions, including university admissions, hiring, and clinical diagnosis.<\/li>\n<li>Allows researchers to justify using a convenient tool in place of a more expensive or time-consuming one.<\/li>\n<li>Strengthens the credibility of published research by demonstrating the measures used are sound.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Types_of_Criterion_Validity\"><\/span>Types of Criterion Validity<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Criterion validity has 3 recognized sub-types. Each differs based on when the criterion is measured relative to the test being validated.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Concurrent_Validity\"><\/span>Concurrent Validity<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Concurrent validity compares a test&#8217;s results to a criterion measured at the same time. It is used when a new or shorter tool needs to be checked against an existing, established one.<\/p>\n<p>Example: A researcher administers a new depression screening tool alongside a validated clinical interview on the same day. A strong correlation between the two scores supports concurrent validity.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Predictive_Validity\"><\/span>Predictive Validity<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Predictive validity assesses whether a test can forecast a future outcome. The criterion is measured after the test, often weeks, months, or years later.<\/p>\n<p>Example: A university admission test is compared to students&#8217; grade point average at the end of their first year. If higher test scores align with higher grades, the test shows predictive validity.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Retrospective_Validity\"><\/span>Retrospective Validity<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Retrospective validity compares a current test to a criterion that was already measured in the past by someone else. It is less common but useful when historical records exist.<\/p>\n<p>Example: A new screening tool for a medical condition is compared against past diagnostic records to see whether current scores align with outcomes documented years earlier.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Do_You_Choose_a_Good_Criterion\"><\/span>How Do You Choose a Good Criterion?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Choosing a good criterion is often the hardest step, because a flawed or biased criterion compromises the entire validity assessment, no matter how well-designed the new test is.<\/p>\n<p>A strong criterion should meet 4 basic conditions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Established: it is already recognized and widely used in the field.<\/li>\n<li>Relevant: it measures the same construct as the new test, not a related but different one.<\/li>\n<li>Unbiased: it is not affected by the same errors or assumptions built into the new test.<\/li>\n<li>Feasible: it can realistically be collected within the study&#8217;s time and resource constraints.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If no accepted criterion exists for a construct, researchers cannot assess criterion validity directly. In that case, they typically turn to <a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-construct-validity-definition-types-and-examples\/\">construct validity<\/a> instead, which examines relationships with other related and unrelated variables.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Is_Criterion_Validity_Calculated\"><\/span>How Is Criterion Validity Calculated?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Criterion validity is calculated by running a correlation between the test scores and the criterion scores. The specific method depends on whether the variables are continuous or categorical.<\/p>\n<table width=\"633\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\"><strong>Method<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"207\"><strong>When to Use<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><strong>Value Range<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"147\"><strong>Example<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\">Pearson r<\/td>\n<td width=\"207\">Both variables are continuous<\/td>\n<td width=\"120\">-1.0 to 1.0<\/td>\n<td width=\"147\">Test score vs. GPA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\">Point-biserial r<\/td>\n<td width=\"207\">One variable is dichotomous<\/td>\n<td width=\"120\">-1.0 to 1.0<\/td>\n<td width=\"147\">Test score vs. pass or fail<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\">Phi coefficient<\/td>\n<td width=\"207\">Both variables are dichotomous<\/td>\n<td width=\"120\">-1.0 to 1.0<\/td>\n<td width=\"147\">Screening result vs. diagnosis<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>The resulting r-value indicates 2 things: strength, how closely the variables move together, and direction, whether the relationship is positive or negative. These calculations are typically run in Excel, R, SPSS, or Python rather than by hand.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Counts_as_a_Good_Criterion_Validity_Score\"><\/span>What Counts as a Good Criterion Validity Score?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>There is no single universal cutoff for criterion validity. The acceptable r-value depends on the field, the construct being measured, and how the results will be used.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>10 to 0.29: weak relationship<\/li>\n<li>30 to 0.49: moderate relationship<\/li>\n<li>50 to 1.0: strong relationship<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>High-stakes fields, such as medical diagnosis or pilot selection, generally require stronger correlations than <a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-exploratory-research-meaning-design-examples\/\">exploratory<\/a> academic research. A moderate correlation may be perfectly acceptable in an early-stage study.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Limitations_of_Criterion_Validity\"><\/span>Limitations of Criterion Validity<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>A test is only as valid as its criterion. A biased or flawed gold standard undermines the entire result.<\/li>\n<li>No accepted criterion exists for some constructs, making direct assessment impossible.<\/li>\n<li>A strong correlation does not guarantee the test measures the underlying construct correctly; construct validity is still needed.<\/li>\n<li>Results can be sample-specific and may not generalize to other populations or settings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Criterion_Validity_vs_Other_Types_of_Validity\"><\/span>Criterion Validity vs Other Types of Validity<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Criterion validity is 1 of 4 validity types commonly discussed in research methodology. Each answers a different question about how well a test measures what it claims to.<\/p>\n<table width=\"620\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"113\"><strong>Validity Type<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"167\"><strong>What It Checks<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"167\"><strong>Compared Against<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"173\"><strong>Example<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"113\">Criterion<\/td>\n<td width=\"167\">Correlation with a real-world outcome<\/td>\n<td width=\"167\">An established gold-standard measure<\/td>\n<td width=\"173\">Admission test vs. course grades<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"113\"><a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-content-validity-definition-types-and-examples\/\">Content<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"167\">Coverage of the full construct<\/td>\n<td width=\"167\">Expert judgment or theory<\/td>\n<td width=\"173\">Math test covering all required topics<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"113\">Construct<\/td>\n<td width=\"167\">Whether the test reflects the theoretical concept<\/td>\n<td width=\"167\">Related and unrelated constructs<\/td>\n<td width=\"173\">Anxiety test correlates with stress, not memory<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"113\"><a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-face-validity-definition-and-examples\/\">Face<\/a><\/td>\n<td width=\"167\">Whether the test appears valid on the surface<\/td>\n<td width=\"167\">Subjective impression<\/td>\n<td width=\"173\">Test visibly looks like it measures anxiety<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Worked_Example_Measuring_Happiness\"><\/span>Worked Example: Measuring Happiness<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A social psychologist studies how happiness relates to relationship longevity. They design a new, more engaging online questionnaire to measure happiness and want to confirm it works before using it in their study.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Concurrent validity: they administer the new questionnaire alongside the established Subjective Happiness Scale to the same group at the same time, then correlate the 2 sets of scores.<\/li>\n<li>Predictive validity: they re-contact participants 1 year later to see whether early happiness scores correlate with whether their relationships lasted.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Strong correlations in both cases would confirm the new questionnaire is both an accurate current measure and a useful predictive tool.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><br \/>\nFrequently Asked Questions<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_difference_between_criterion_validity_and_construct_validity\"><\/span>What is the difference between criterion validity and construct validity?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Criterion validity compares a test to a single established benchmark. Construct validity is broader, examining how a test relates to multiple related and unrelated variables to confirm it measures the intended theoretical concept.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_criterion_validity_the_same_as_predictive_validity\"><\/span>Is criterion validity the same as predictive validity?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No. Predictive validity is 1 of 3 sub-types of criterion validity. The others are concurrent validity and retrospective validity, which differ in when the criterion is measured relative to the test.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_a_good_correlation_coefficient_for_criterion_validity\"><\/span>What is a good correlation coefficient for criterion validity?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>There is no fixed rule, but many researchers treat 0.30 to 0.49 as moderate and above 0.50 as strong. High-stakes fields, such as medical diagnosis, typically require stronger correlations than exploratory research.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_you_calculate_criterion_validity_in_SPSS_or_R\"><\/span>How do you calculate criterion validity in SPSS or R?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In SPSS, run a bivariate correlation (Analyze, then Correlate, then Bivariate) between the test and criterion scores. In R, use the cor() or cor.test() function, selecting Pearson or point-biserial depending on the variable types.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_an_example_of_criterion_validity_in_psychology\"><\/span>What is an example of criterion validity in psychology?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A common example is comparing a new anxiety questionnaire to an established clinical anxiety assessment administered at the same time. A strong correlation between the 2 confirms concurrent criterion validity.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_is_criterion_validity_important_in_employee_selection_tests\"><\/span>Why is criterion validity important in employee selection tests?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It confirms that a pre-employment test genuinely predicts job performance rather than measuring an unrelated trait. This protects employers from making costly, unfair, or legally risky hiring decisions.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_difference_between_concurrent_and_predictive_validity\"><\/span>What is the difference between concurrent and predictive validity?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Concurrent validity measures the test and the criterion at the same time. Predictive validity measures the criterion at a later date, testing whether the current test forecasts a future outcome.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_a_test_have_criterion_validity_but_not_be_truly_valid_overall\"><\/span>Can a test have criterion validity but not be truly valid overall?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes. A test can correlate well with a flawed or biased criterion, producing misleading results. Researchers typically pair criterion validity with construct and content validity for a complete picture of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/how-to-create-your-scale-for-research-types-of-reliability-validity-in-research\/\">test&#8217;s overall quality<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><em>This article was originally published on March 03, 2025, and updated on July 31, 2026.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Criterion validity measures how well a test&#8217;s results align with a trusted, established benchmark for the same construct. There are 3 types: concurrent, predictive, and<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":51,"featured_media":14202,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":0,"_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","footnotes":""},"categories":[37,63],"tags":[963,943],"class_list":["post-10965","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-r-discovery","category-research-tips","tag-criterion-validity","tag-research-validity"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What is Criterion Validity? 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