Face validity assesses what aspect of a test?

Face validity refers to the extent to which a test appears, on the surface, to measure what it purports to measure. This aspect is important because it involves the judgment of laypersons and experts about whether the test items seem relevant to the construct being assessed.

When a test has high face validity, it gives a good initial impression that it is measuring the intended concept, which can increase participant engagement and cooperation. This perceived accuracy is significant for ensuring that the individual taking the test understands its purpose and feels that it is relevant to their experiences.

In contrast, face validity does not concern the complexity of the test structure, the statistical significance of results, or the external validity of test findings, as those aspects focus on different dimensions of test evaluation. For example, while statistical significance pertains to the results and whether they reflect a true effect, and external validity addresses the generalizability of findings, they do not speak to how the content of a test is viewed in terms of relevance and appropriateness by its users. Thus, the emphasis on perceived accuracy is what fundamentally defines face validity.