Scale validity evaluation with congeneric measures in hierarchical designs.

A procedure for validity estimation of multi-component measuring instruments in hierarchical designs is outlined. The method is developed within the framework of the popular latent variable modelling methodology. The approach is readily applicable for examining interrelationship indices between composite sum scores and criterion variables in two-level studies. The procedure is also useful for obtaining estimates and confidence intervals of criterion validity coefficients during the process of scale construction and development with hierarchical data. The method is illustrated with an empirical example.