What is implied if a measure shows face validity?

A measure that demonstrates face validity suggests that, on its surface, it appears to assess the intended construct. Face validity is a subjective judgment made by researchers or experts about whether a measure intuitively seems to reflect what it is designed to measure. For example, if a test is created to evaluate depression, it should include questions that are clearly relevant to symptoms of depression, making it seem appropriate for that purpose.

The other options do not accurately describe face validity. Statistical significance relates to the probability of observing results as extreme as the ones obtained if null hypothesis is true, which is not a matter of whether a measure seems appropriate at face value. Similarly, the efficiency of capturing an underlying construct pertains more to the measure's validity and reliability, rather than its face validity. Lastly, a strong theoretical basis refers to how well a measure is grounded in existing theories, which does not necessarily imply that it will appear valid to observers without more in-depth analysis.