Which term describes the extent to which a test samples the behavior that is of interest?

• A. Face validity
• B. Content validity
• C. Criterion-related validity
• D. Construct validity

Answer: (B)

Content validity asks whether the items on a test cover the behavior or content it's meant to measure. It’s about sampling the full range of relevant behaviors or knowledge so the test truly represents what you want to assess. If a test of a skill only includes a narrow slice or misses important aspects, it isn’t sampling the domain well, and its scores won’t reflect the intended construct.

For example, a math test designed to measure algebra should include problems that cover solving equations, simplifying expressions, and factoring, not just one type of problem. That breadth ensures the test samples the behavior of interest.

Face validity is about how the test looks to test-takers, which doesn’t guarantee actual coverage of the domain. Criterion-related validity looks at how well the test scores relate to an external benchmark (like future performance). Construct validity concerns whether the test truly measures the theoretical construct, supported by evidence such as relationships with related constructs and factor structure. The scenario focuses on how well the test samples the intended behavior, which is the essence of content validity.