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Case Study

Explain how the researchers' plan demonstrates convergent validity. What specific relationship between the two scales must be observed to support convergent validity, and what does this show about the new scale?

Case context: A research team has developed a new scale called the 'Digital Stress Scale' to measure stress caused by technology use. To understand if their scale is valid, they need to demonstrate convergent validity. They plan to administer their new scale alongside a well-established, widely accepted measure of general stress, the Perceived Stress Scale, to a sample of college students. They expect that students who score high on the Digital Stress Scale will also score high on the Perceived Stress Scale.

Question: Explain how the researchers' plan demonstrates convergent validity. What specific relationship between the two scales must be observed to support convergent validity, and what does this show about the new scale?

Sample answer: The plan demonstrates convergent validity because the researchers are comparing their newly created measure ('Digital Stress Scale') with an existing, established measure of the same construct ('Perceived Stress Scale'). To support convergent validity, they must observe a correlation between the scores of the two scales. If correlated, this shows that the new scale works in the same way as the established measure and accurately captures the intended variable of stress.

Key points:

  • Comparing a newly created measure with an existing, established measure of the same construct.
  • Observing a correlation between the new scale and the established scale.
  • Showing that the new tool works in the same way to accurately capture the intended variable.

Rubric: The response must explain that convergent validity is demonstrated by correlating a new measure with an existing, established measure of the same construct. It must identify that a correlation (positive relationship) must be observed, and that this demonstrates the new tool accurately captures the intended variable.

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Updated 2026-05-26

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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

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