Construct validity and the validity of replication studies: A systematic review

Am Psychol. 2022 May-Jun;77(4):576-588. doi: 10.1037/amp0001006. Epub 2022 Apr 28.

Abstract

Currently, there is little guidance for navigating measurement challenges that threaten construct validity in replication research. To identify common challenges and ultimately strengthen replication research, we conducted a systematic review of the measures used in the 100 original and replication studies from the Reproducibility Project: Psychology (Open Science Collaboration, 2015). Results indicate that it was common for scales used in the original studies to have little or no validity evidence. Our systematic review demonstrates and corroborates evidence that issues of construct validity are sorely neglected in original and replicated research. We identify four measurement challenges replicators are likely to face: a lack of essential measurement information, a lack of validity evidence, measurement differences, and translation. Next, we offer solutions for addressing these challenges that will improve measurement practices in original and replication research. Finally, we close with a discussion of the need to develop measurement methodologies for the next generation of replication research. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Publication types

  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Reproducibility of Results*