Praxis SLP Licensure Exam

Which of the following best describes the focus of content validity in assessment measures?

1. Determining the relevant communication behaviors measured

2. Assessing how well a test predicts future performance

3. Understanding the tests' response accuracy

4. Evaluating the internal consistency of a test

The correct answer is: Determining the relevant communication behaviors measured

Content validity primarily pertains to how well an assessment measure captures the specific skills and knowledge that it is intended to evaluate. In the context of communication assessments, it focuses on the extent to which the items on a test represent the domain of communication behaviors relevant to the construct being measured. For instance, if a test is designed to evaluate language skills in children, content validity would involve ensuring that the test items reflect the various aspects of language development, such as vocabulary, grammar, and pragmatic skills. The goal is to ensure that the test comprehensively covers the necessary content without omitting significant areas that could influence a person’s overall communication abilities. In contrast, the other options address different aspects of assessment. Predictive validity relates to how well a test can forecast future performance, which is not the central concern of content validity. Response accuracy focuses on the accuracy of answers given by test-takers, and internal consistency pertains to the stability of a test’s items in measuring the same construct. All of these characteristics matter, but they operate outside the framework of content validity, refining our understanding of the test’s effectiveness in measuring what it aims to measure.