What does validity refer to in sociological research?

Validity in sociological research pertains to the accuracy of a measure, indicating how well a test or tool measures what it claims to measure. When researchers speak of validity, they are concerned with whether the findings truly represent the phenomenon being studied. For example, if a survey is designed to measure social anxiety, it has high validity if the questions effectively capture the experiences and feelings related to that anxiety.

In contrast, other options pertain to different characteristics of research. Consistency of data collection relates to reliability, ensuring that the same methods yield similar results over time. Confidence in sample size pertains to statistical power and representativeness, impacting the generalizability of findings rather than their accuracy. Subjectivity in data interpretation refers to the influence of personal biases on analyzing results, which does not directly connect to the measure's validity. Therefore, the essence of validity is correctly captured in the context of accurately measuring the intended variables in sociological research.