A Substruction Approach to Assessing the Theoretical Validity of Measures

Abstract

BackgroundValidity is about the logic, meaningfulness, and evidence used to defend inferences made when interpreting results. Substruction is a heuristic or process that visually represent the hierarchical structure between theory and measures.PurposeTo describe substruction as a method for assessing the toretical validity of research measures.MethodsUsing Fawcett's Conceptual-Theoretical-Empirical Structure. an exemplar is presented of substruction from the Individual and Family Self-Management Theory to the Striving to be strong study concepts and empirical measures.ResultsSubstruction tables display evidence supporting theoretical validity of the instruments used in the study.ConclusionA high degree of congruence between theory and measure is critical to support the validity of the theory and to support attributions made about moderating, mediating, causal relationships, and intervention effects.