| validity | 1. The extent to which a measurement, test or study measures what it purports to measure. 2. Occasionally, accuracy. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| concurrent validity | An index of criterion-related validity used to predict performance in a real-life situation given at about the same time as the test or procedure; the extent to which the index from one test correlates with that of a nonidentical test or index; e.g., how well a score on an aptitude test correlates with the score on an intelligence test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| construct validity | The extent to which a test or procedure appears to measure a higher order, inferred theoretical construct, or trait in contrast to measuring a more limited, specific dimension; e.g., a sychrony in the scores on the Stanford-Binet Test, on a test of information processing, and the rate of glucose metabolism in the brain all are indices of intelligence. (05 Mar 2000) |
| content validity | The extent to which the items of a test or procedure are in fact a representative sample of that which is to be measured; e.g., items relating to ability in arithmetic and defining words are appropriate content for an intelligence test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| criterion-related validity | The degree of effectiveness with which performance on a test or procedure predicts performance in a real-life situation; e.g., a good correlation between a score on an intelligence test such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test and one's 4-year college grade point average. (05 Mar 2000) |
| predictive validity | Criterion-related validity used to predict performance in a real-life task at a future time. See: construct validity, criterion-related validity. (05 Mar 2000) |
| face validity | The extent to which the items of a test or procedure appear superficially to sample that which is to be measured. (05 Mar 2000) |
| abdominal external oblique muscle | <anatomy, muscle> Origin, fifth to twelfth ribs; insertion, anterior half of lateral lip of iliac crest, inguinal ligament, and anterior layer of the rectus sheath; action, diminishes capacity of abdomen, draws thorax downward; nerve supply, thoracoabdominal nerves. Synonym: musculus obliquus externus abdominis, abdominal external oblique muscle. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ambiguous external genitalia | External genitalia not clearly of either sex; most commonly designates external genitalia that are incompletely masculinised. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anterior scrotal branch of external pudendal artery | <anatomy, artery> Distribution, skin of anterior scrotum; anastomoses, posterior scrotal branches from internal pudendal artery. Synonym: rami scrotales anteriores arteriae pudendae externae. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aponeurosis of external abdominal oblique muscle | <anatomy> Broad, flat tendinous portion of the external abdominal oblique muscle. The fleshy fibres of the muscle end in the aponeurosis along a line descending vertically from the costochondral joint of the ninth rib then turning laterally just below the level of the umbilicus toward the anterior superior iliac spine. The fibres of the aponeurosis run medially and inferiorly, contributing to the anterior wall of the sheath of the rectus abdominis muscle and decussating with those of the contralateral aponeurosis at the median linea alba. Inferomedially, the aponeurosis is attached to the upper border of the pubic symphysis, the pubic crest and pubic tubercle. Between the anterior superior iliac spine and the pubic tubercle, it is thickened and turned under, forming the inguinal ligaments. The portion of the aponeurosis attached to the pubic bone forms the superficial inguinal ring by splitting into medial and lateral crura. See: external spermatic fascia, inguinal ligament, lacunar ligament, pectineal ligament, reflected inguinal ligament, superficial inguinal ring, rectus sheath. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bony part of external acoustic meatus | The medial two-thirds of the external acoustic meatus which is formed as the tympanic plate of the temporal bone develops; it extends approximately 16 mm. From its junction with the cartilaginous part to the tympanic membrane. (05 Mar 2000) |
| carotid artery, external | Branch of the common carotid artery which supplies the exterior of the head, the face, and the greater part of the neck. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cartilaginous part of external acoustic meatus | The lateral third of the external acoustic meatus which is continuous with the auricular cartilage and attached to the circumference of the bony part. (05 Mar 2000) |
| chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia | A specific type of slowly worsening weakness of the ocular muscles, usually associated with a pigmentary retinopathy. See: Kearns-Sayre syndrome, oculopharyngeal dystrophy. Synonym: ocular myopathy. (05 Mar 2000) |