Validity refers to the extent to which an instrument measures what it was intended to measure. Therefore, an instrument is considered "valid" if it measured what it set out to measure. Validity is associated with quantitative data collection, and requires various statistical techniques and concepts to establish.
When researchers design or test an instrument, they will typically publish a scholarly journal article or book chapter that discusses how validity was established for the instrument as shown in the example below. Reviewing the full-text resource should reveal the established validity.
Multiple types of studies can lead to validated tools. Consider one of the following.
A study that introduces and tests (validates) a scale, assessment, or instrument. Example:
A study that parallels the research to be undertaken that uses a validated instrument that you can then work to find. Example:
A systematic review that discusses multiple instruments that will lead you to the best one for your needs. Example:
