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A Framework for Examining Validity in State Accountability Systems

Without validation evidence for their accountability systems, states would be unable to effectively defend against lawsuits, likely lose credibility among their stakeholders, and almost certainly waste time and resources. The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for the evaluation of the validity for accountability systems. Since neither validity nor accountability is particularly an easy issue to tackle, attempting to create a framework for the consideration of one in the context of the other is risky business. The authors of this 2005 paper acknowledged that it most likely would be incomplete and require revision over time. Subsequent papers in this series have addressed that need. Although somewhat dated, it is an important foundational piece.

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