A researcher develops a questionnaire to assess the personality trait of impulsivity among adults. In a journal article, she presents evidence that college students tend to get essentially the same score if they take the test twice, 2 months apart. She also presents the average score, the highest score, and the lowest score obtained by two large samples: one done with 2,000 college students and another done with 750 adults who are not in college. However, when one reviews the sample questionnaire items, it seems clear that they relate more to whether a person is sociable, outgoing, and fun than to whether an individual is impulsive. As a result, one would question the _____ of the researcher's questionnaire.
A)reliability
B)validity
C)standardization
D)reliability and validity

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Validity refers to the extent to which a measurement tool, such as a questionnaire, is measuring what it is intended to measure. In this case, the questionnaire was intended to measure the personality trait of impulsivity, but the sample questionnaire items relate more to sociability, outgoingness, and fun. Therefore, the validity of the questionnaire is questionable. Reliability is not as big of a concern in this scenario since the test-retest reliability was established and found to be consistent.

A Researcher Develops a Questionnaire to Assess the Personality Trait