Operational Definitions Of Construct Validity

Sexual orientation can be considered as one of America’s most controversial topics. Although the rationale and choice differs from person to person, and is considered to be a private matter of personal preference, many people have experienced negative backlash and harsh criticism due to their individual likings. In general, sexual orientation is defined as: a person 's sexual identity in relation to the gender to which they are attracted; the fact of being heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual. While the definition seems to be straightforward and concise, the subject of sexual orientation encompasses much more than just the intensity of emotional and erotic attraction and response to members of the opposite sex, the same sex, or both

“Our sexual identity, that label we embrace to let others know whether we prefer people of the same gender, of different genders, or both (e.g., gay, lesbian, heterosexual, bisexual, queer), does not always necessarily reflect who we are attracted to, who we fantasize about, and who we have sex with.” (Vrangalova &

I like your analogy of validity and reliability. It is very critical that the reliability and validity of the data collection tools that are used in qualitative research are validated because of the outcome of the research results. If the data tools are not valid, it could have a negative impact to the outcome of patients such as a treatment or drug that is being researched. The probability of harming a patient is high if a new treatment is incorrect.

Proffering an acceptable answer to the question about sexual identity makes more sense by defining and explaining what exactly sexuality is. It is broadly defined as the summation of a person's sexual interests, behaviors and tendencies. It is can also be defined as one's responsiveness to sexual attractions. These sexual behaviors may live with such person through out such person's lifetime. Moreover, some commentators have defined it as the summation of one's feelings about the person's femininity or masculinity with the consciousness of one's self image in relation to interacting with others. Sexuality has a direct relation with the way one feels. Few of the determinants for sexuality are genetic factors, parental influence, influence of siblings and friends, societal influence and particularly how one feels about oneself.

One complication of understanding sexuality and orientation is the inaccuracies with current understandings. There is no cookie- cutter way to define heterosexual, bisexual, or homosexual. Much of the research regarding human sexuality is still in need of further exploration. However, we are the products of nature, nuture, and our cultures. It is us, by our own free will that decides the people we will be and the paths we will

indicator of whether the desired trait is measured. If elements of the test are irrelevant to the main construct, then they are measuring something else completely, creating potential bias. In addition, criterion validity derives quantitative correlations from test course. Content validity is qualitative in nature, and asks whether a specific element enhances or detracts from a test or research program. How is content validity is measured by using surveys and tests, each questions is given to a panel of experts analysts, and they rate it. The analysts give their opinion about whether the question is essential, useful or irrelevant to measuring the construct under study. For example, a depression scale in which there is low content validity if it only shows

“Sexual identity refers to different aspects of oneself. Therefore may be any combination of sex (male/female), gender (masculine/feminine), and sexual identity (straight, lesbian/gay or bisexual).”

X amount of transgender individuals participated in a brief survey, compiled of questions centered around possible differences between gay/lesbian and transgender sexual orientation. Toward the end of the questionnaire, the individual is asked to give his/her own personal view of how the transgender community should be defined or viewed by society. The participants will be made up of transgender women (male birth sex), transgender men (female birth sex), between the ages of 19-35 years of age; with various race backgrounds.

The gender, sex, and sexuality chapter has educated me on how sexual orientation is defined. For many years, this term meant being either heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual. Today, there are newer sexual orientations such as asexual, pansexual, and aromantic, that people identify themselves as. In reality, sexual orientation is simply an erotic attraction that may be fluid (King, 2017). To clarify, there are no limitations or restrictions to who or what an individual is attracted to. I was always a bit confused as to what my sexual orientation was, and I became frustrated when I could not attach myself to a certain label. People have a tendency of labeling themselves, whether they want to be known as gay, asexual, straight, or whatever, they want to be identified as something. For me, I was never really into labels. It was not that big of a deal, because I felt like it shouldn’t matter who I was attracted to. The problem is, people always ask, “so what are you?” or “are you into girls or guys?” I felt pressured into saying one thing, even if it wasn’t exactly how I felt. For example, if I were to say I was into the same sex, then I would need to “come out”, but if later on I decided to change my mind and say I was bisexual, I would have to come out again and explain myself. Coming out basically means publicly announcing your sexual orientation to others

Sexual orientation can be grouped into three different categories, heterosexual-homosexual, and bisexual. Heterosexuals prefer a partner of the opposite sex. This group makes up for about 97% of all Americans. Homosexuals prefer a partner of the same sex. This group contains only 2% of Americans. Lastly, bisexuals are attracted to people of both sexes. Scientists have concluded that sexual orientation is based on genetics, hormonal cognitive and environment. No one factor alone causes homosexuality.

Validity is an important aspect of the research design. For instance, in research the uses statistics as the primary form of measurement. Validity applies to the truth of a standard. A measure is valid, in general, when it (Renata, 2011, 1) includes what it devised to measure. Renata (2011) explained, "Internal and external validity are the two primary types of validity" (para. 1). However, both display diverse aspects of a study’s design and results.

Construct Validity is used to ensure that the measure is actually measuringwhat it is intended to measure, and no other variables. Using a panel of “experts” familiar with the construct is a way in which this type of validity can be assessed. The experts can examine the items and decide what that specific item is intended to measure. The executive managers can be involved in this process to obtain their

Several public health researchers have detected higher rates of both (STIs) and STI risk behaviors among MSM /MSMW (men who have sex with men and women) and WSW/WSWM (women who have sex with women and men). Subsequently those populations are compared to men and women who engage solely in opposite-sex sexual encounters (Everett, 2013). These results were concentrated among gay and bisexual identifiers who have reported both male and female sexual encounters. Recently, several studies have also been called into investigation by researchers to examine the sexual identity role in unification with sexual behavior in order to fully comprehend how STI disparities are distributed across the U.S population by sexual orientation (Everett, 2013).

Validity pertains to both the methods and the design of a research study and indicates “the degree with which correct inferences can be made from the results of a research study” (Indiana University Of Pennsylvania, 2010). According to Trochim and Donnelly, there are four types of validity including conclusion, internal, construct, and external (2008). In this assignment, three of these types will be discussed. Internal validity is the extent to which a test measures what it claims to measure. External validity on the other hand, is the extent to which the results of a research study can be generalized to other groups, other times, and other settings. Construct validity demonstrates an association between results and the prediction of a

Thomas and Christiansen (2011) contribute the chapter, “Measurement Theory in Research” to Understanding Research in Clinical and Counseling Psychology, in order to highlight the importance of reliability, validity, and choosing outcome measures in psychological research (Thomas & Hersen, 2011). Concepts addressed by the authors, such as reliability and validity, are fundamental and the basis of empirically sound research. In each of the sections addressed, the authors describe constructs within the theories to support each of the concepts and use analogies to drive home the particular point. As the lessons are expressed, examples of how the measures are applied, as well as why the application of sound methodological practices are of such importance to research. Additionally, Thomas and Christensen (2011) express the limitations of each construct and methods for minimizing error. This chapter addresses many of the basic issues researchers face when attempting to apply empirical measurement standards in studies. Furthermore, the authors approach to delivering methodological guidance to researchers regarding reliability and validity is scholarly and informative in describing the necessary methods required for empirical standards in research.