Objectifying content validity: Conducting a content validity study in social work research

Social scientists frequently study complex constructs. Despite plethora of measures for these constructs, researchers may need to create their own measure for a particular study. When a measure is created, psychometric testing is required, and first step is to study content validity of measure. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how to conduct a content validity study, including how to elicit most from a panel of experts by collecting specific data. Instructions how to calculate a content validity index, factorial validity index, and an interrater reliability index and guide for interpreting these indices are included. Implications regarding value of conducting a content validity study for…