These debates are not easy to reconcile. For example, brevity, which
may be a priority for a large-scale survey, may sacrifice validity. While
developing measures with strong psychometric properties is always a
priority, researchers must find the balance in ensuring that they remain
practicable to administer (Moore, Halle, Vandivere, & Mariner, 2002).
Translation of a measure developed in English to other languages may
compromise content validity. Tools designed to be administered by program
staffmay not serve the needs of parents, and vice versa. Similarly,
ameasure designed specifically for infants and toddlers is not appropriate
for use with older children. Therefore, comparable measures must
be developed for longitudinal studies or application in programs serving
a large age span. Understanding that the usefulness and applicability of
assessment data rely upon their accuracy and validity, there is a need for
consensus around how to prioritize these considerations, and to
integrate discussions about these factors routinely in research design,
program planning and implementation, and policymaking.