ABSTRACT
This chapter explores in more depth how unitary validity was embedded and became inherent in our values-based framework system. It also explores how 'deep' participatory processes seem to underpin many aspects of that unitary validity. The chapter considers each element of validity that makes up unitary validity, and shows how our action co-research through design has influenced their nature. Academic frameworks and models are typically built incrementally with links to existing systems of knowledge, including definitions and boundaries for concepts, propositions and theories. Our approach has co-developed an apparently new framework for understanding human values, their operationalization and their measurement in the context of group shared values. Item validity requires that every individual indicator fits within the value domain(s) to which it has been assigned. In our values-based approach, item validity and sampling validity at the first stage both depend on face validity, in that the co-evaluators define value domains pragmatically according to their own perceptions and priorities.
