Nomological Networks

The nomological network is a tool for construct validation (i.e., gathering evidence about the meaning) of psychological measures. For example, construct validation of job performance ratings by supervisors should indicate what the ratings really mean or how accurately they reflect actual performance levels. The goal is to link observable measurements to unobservable theoretical constructs.

In 1955, Lee Cronbach and Paul Meehl described the nomological network as a system of intertwined laws that make up a theory and stated that the laws in the network should generate testable predictions. Laws could relate measurements to each other (e.g., linking job performance ratings to scores on ability or personality measures), theoretical constructs to observed measurements (e.g., linking a rating of some aspect of job performance, such as effort, to ...