Which of the following is NOT a form of validity?

• A. Face validity
• B. Content validity
• C. Criterion validity
• D. Reliability

Answer: (D)

Understanding validity versus reliability in measurement helps explain why reliability isn’t a form of validity. Validity asks whether the instrument actually measures the intended construct. Face validity asks if, on the surface, the measure seems to assess the right thing. Content validity checks whether the instrument covers all relevant parts of the construct. Criterion validity looks at how well the measure relates to an external standard or outcome. Reliability, by contrast, is about consistency—whether the results are stable across time, items, or raters. Because reliability concerns consistency of scores rather than whether the measure captures the intended concept, it is not a form of validity. You can have a measure that is very reliable but not valid, and validity evidence usually depends on reliability being in place.