Which practices are used to establish the validity of performance data?

• A. Guesswork
• B. Intuition
• C. Calibration, pilot testing and cross-checks
• D. Only rely on published norms

Answer: (C)

Performance data validity means the data actually reflects what you intend to measure and has been collected in a way that is accurate and appropriate. The best way to establish this is by combining calibration, pilot testing and cross-checks. Calibration makes sure the measurement tools give correct readings so results aren’t biased by faulty equipment. Pilot testing runs the data-collection procedures on a small scale to spot problems in how data is gathered before you commit to the full study. Cross-checks involve comparing data with other measures or having multiple observers to confirm consistency, helping to verify that the results are trustworthy.

Guesswork or intuition aren’t systematic ways to verify data, so they don’t ensure validity. Relying only on published norms can be useful for benchmarking, but it doesn’t validate that your data collection process is accurate or appropriate for your specific context. Together, calibration, pilot testing and cross-checks provide solid evidence that the data you collect is valid.