Beyond campbell and fiske: Assessment of convergent and discriminant validity

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
(MTMM) technique (Campbell & Fiske, 1959) and ad,,,,,,,,, IIIVIU VUV.Ul.Yq I.y.-.vUI methods of interpreting a MTMM matrix of correlations, have not been used extensively in nursing to asses construct validity of new instruments. This article reviews the Campbell and Fiske method for the assessment of convergent and discriminant validity, reviews the application of the method in the nursing literature, and describes the limitations of the original method. In addition, the procedures, strengths, and limitations of the analysis of and Fiske's criteria are described. . The need to measure phenomena of interest to nurses has resulted in an increase in instrument development activities by nurse researchers. Con- struct validity of these instruments has been tested primarily by factor analysis, known groups tech- niques, and correlation with similar constructs (Rew, Stuppy & Becker, 1988). While not an innovation in the more established social sciences, the multitrait multimethod (MTMM) technique (Campbell & Fiske, 1959) has had limited ap- plication in nursing. In this article, the original Campbell and Fiske (1959) MTMM method and criteria for evaluating construct validity are ex- plained and the past decade of nursing research literature is reviewed for use of this technique. In addition, the limitations of the MTMM method are described and two statistical approaches to the MTMM matrix interpretation, analysis of variance and confirmatory factor analysis, are discussed. Finally, current nursing research textbooks are examined for MTMM information as applied to construct validity. CAMPBELL AND FISKE'S MTMM TECHNIQUE