Iranian EFL Journal 438 Title Evaluating Ph.D Candidates’ Interviews: A Validity Argument Approach Authors Saman Ebadi (Ph.D) Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran Majid Saedi Dovaise (Ph.D Candidate) Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran Biodata Saman Ebadi, assistant professor of applied linguistics at Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran. His research interests include dynamic assessment and issues in language testing. Majid Saedi Dovaise, Ph.D Candidate of TEFL at Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran. His research interests include SLA studies, reading and vocabulary development, and testing Abstract Validity is regarded as the most important component of decision making judgment in the testing literature. Due to the serious consequences of the decisions made based on the PhD interviews, as a partial requirement of admission to PhD programs in Iran’s universities, this paper aims to develop practical guidelines for devising and evaluating validity arguments for the validation of these interviews. Attempts have been made to adapt a validity argument framework for evaluating the interviews. Founding on Messick’s approach to validity, Kane’s validity argument proposal, and Toulmin’s model of reasoning, the framework adapted in this paper tries to cater for the various aspects of validation. Basic components of contemporary validity theory have been reformulated into a practical validation process for the PhD interviews. Examples of evidences and claims have been incorporated into the paper to make the framework more practical for the purpose of the evaluation and fair decision making process in PhD interviews. Keywords: Validation, Validity, Validity argument, PhD interview 1. Introduction