Term: Construct Validity

Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2008-06-17

Definition:

Tests of construct validity assess the extent to which a measure corresponds with an acceptable theory or assumption (Last, 2001).

For example, it seems reasonable to expect that a greater number of emergent Emergency Department (ED) patients should arrive by ambulance or stretcher, as compared to non-urgent ED patients. Construct validity is determined by measuring the extent that these predetermined patterns of ED use actually exist.

References 

• Last JM. A Dictionary of Epidemiology. 4th Edition. In: Spasoff, RA, et. al. (eds). New York, New York: Oxford University Press; 2001. 0-0.(View)

Term used in 

• Doupe M, Kozyrskyj A, Soodeen R, Derksen S, Burchill C, Huq S. An Initial Analysis of Emergency Departments and Urgent Care in Winnipeg. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2008. [Report] [Summary] [Additional Materials] (View)