The Nomological Network

What Is the Nomological Net? An idea developed by Cronbach, L. and Meehl, P. (1955). Construct Validity in Psychological Tests, Psychological Bulletin, 52, 4, 281-302. Nomological is derived from Greek and means “lawful”. Links interrelated theoretical ideas with empirical evidence.

What Is the Nomological Net? A representation

What Is the Nomological Net? A representation of the concepts (constructs) of interest in a study, Construct Construct Construct Construct Construct

What Is the Nomological Net? A representation of the concepts (constructs) of interest in a study, Construct Construct Construct Construct Construct Obs Obs Obs Obs Obs ...their observable manifestations,

What Is the Nomological Net? A representation of the concepts (constructs) of interest in a study, construct construct construct construct construct Obs Obs Obs Obs Obs ...their observable manifestations, and the interrelationships among and among these.

What Is the Nomological Net? Theoretical Level: Concepts, Ideas Construct Construct Construct Construct Construct Obs Obs Obs Obs Obs

What Is the Nomological Net? Theoretical Level: Concepts, Ideas Construct Construct Construct Construct Construct Obs Obs Obs Obs Obs Observed Level: Measures, Programs

This interlocking system of laws is the Nomological Network. Principles Scientifically, to make clear what something is means to set forth the laws in which it occurs. Construct Construct Construct Obs Obs Obs This interlocking system of laws is the Nomological Network.

Principles The laws in a nomological network may relate... Construct Construct Construct Obs Obs Obs observable properties or quantities to each other.

Principles The laws in a nomological network may relate... Construct Construct Construct Obs Obs Obs different theoretical constructs to each other.

Principles The laws in a nomological network may relate... Construct Construct Construct Obs Obs Obs theoretical constructs to observables.

At least some of the laws in the network must involve observables. Principles Construct Construct Construct Obs Obs Obs At least some of the laws in the network must involve observables.

Principles "Learning more about" a theoretical construct is a matter of elaborating the nomological network in which it occurs. Construct Construct Construct Obs Obs Obs

or of increasing the definiteness of its components. Principles "Learning more about" a theoretical construct is a matter of elaborating the nomological network in which it occurs... Construct Construct Construct Obs Obs Obs Obs or of increasing the definiteness of its components.

Principles The basic rule for adding a new construct or relation to a theory is that it must generate laws (nomologicals) confirmed by observation... Construct Construct Construct Construct Obs Obs Obs Obs

Principles The basic rule for adding a new construct or relation to a theory is that it must generate laws (nomologicals) confirmed by observation... Construct Construct Construct Construct Obs Obs Obs Obs or reduce the number of nomologicals required to predict some observables.

Principles Operations that are qualitatively different "overlap" or "measure the same thing"... Construct Construct Construct Obs Obs Obs

Principles Operations which are qualitatively different "overlap" or "measure the same thing"... Construct Construct Construct Obs Obs Obs if their positions in the nomological net tie them to the same construct variable.

The Main Problem with the Nomological Net It doesn't tell us how we can assess the construct validity in a study.