Validity Research

This research theme focuses on the adaptation, redefinition, and operationalization of traditional reliability and validity concepts within qualitative inquiry. Given the philosophical divergence from positivist quantitative paradigms, there is a critical focus on developing verification strategies that are integral and self-correcting during qualitative research to ensure rigor. Moreover, researchers investigate validation criteria suited to qualitative designs and address how validity practices can be communicated effectively to enhance the trustworthiness and impact of qualitative studies, particularly in fields like psychology and biomedical research.

This research theme addresses the theoretical foundations and practical applications of validity and reliability testing in quantitative instruments and mixed-method measures such as patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). It covers a broad spectrum of validity aspects—from construct and content validity to criterion, internal, and external validity—as well as methodological innovations including argument-based validation, content validity quantification, meta-analytic perspectives, and systematic use of expert panels. The focus is on establishing robust psychometric evidence to support valid interpretations and uses of instruments in real-world decisions across education, health, and social sciences.

This theme investigates how validity is conceptualized and operationalized across specialized research approaches that do not neatly fit traditional quantitative or qualitative paradigms. It covers the establishment of validity frameworks tailored for artifact-based design science research, postgraduate case study methodologies, and evaluation science through metaevaluation techniques. The focus is on creating domain-specific validity models, checklists, and protocols that ensure rigor, enable systematic validation of knowledge claims, and provide actionable guidance for researchers and evaluators in diverse applied contexts.