ASSESSING CONTENT VALIDITY: STANDARDS SET BY THE COURT¹

Abstract

Thirty‐one court cases were reviewed in order to determine the standards set by the court in their assessment of the content validity of paper‐and‐pencil tests. The findings indicate that the courts have not acted upon a uniform set of standards. In some instances, tests are judged solely on the basis of their “face validity;” in others, extensive evidence is required. The discussion centered on the failure of the courts to consistently apply professionally developed selection guidelines. The implications for practitioners and psychologists were discussed.