An approach to validation: Developing and applying an approach for the validation of general qualifications

Abstract

This Special Issue begins with a discussion of the concepts of validity and validation and the perspective taken in the current work. The development of the validation framework and later revision will then be described. This is followed by some information on the assessment context in which the validation studies were conducted and an overview of the methods used to gather validation evidence, including some description of some methods that were piloted with A level Geography but were not used in the later study with A level Physics. The methods, analyses and findings from each method are then described for International A level Physics. The validity argument is then evaluated and a final section provides a conclusion and brief comments on challenges in validation activities.