Reliability And Validity

Experimental Research of Reliability and Validity

Shawna Anderson

Southwestern College Professional Studies

Reliability and validity are two very important aspects of the research design. These two aspects help researchers gather and measure data in a consistent manner. Reliability is defined as the extent to which the same results over a period of time are accurate and represent the total population and if the results can be duplicated under a similar methodology, then the research is considered reliable There is internal and reliability and external reliability. Internal reliability evaluates the consistency of the results across items within a test. External reliability refers to the degree to which a measure varies

Measurements are only reliable to the extent that they can be repeated and that any random influence that can make measurements different is a source of error. There are many ways to measure both reliability and validity. Some of the ways to measure reliability is test-retest, parallel form, and split-half method. The test-retest measures the results given when the same test is given at different times. Once the both test are administered the results are then compared for consistency. Parallel form is when two different tests are given for measurement over the knowledge is skill level of the test. Split-half method assesses the internal consistency; this is measured to the extent in which all parts of the test contribute equally. Once all the data is measured the test can then be compared for results. Two ways in which validity can be measured is concurrent validity and construct validity. Concurrent validity is the way in which the scores of a test are related to the scores on another test that is administered at the same time. If two test were given how accurate where the test with one another. Once the test is given they can compare each measure of the criterion with each other. Construct Validity is when the construction of the measure of assessment is actually measuring what it claims to measure. This can be in consideration to performance test results. The question of trustworthiness of the research is raised in regards to the

This can play a huge role in determining the results and comparing them to a more formal setting. If one assessment was done with a large population of people around and another assessment was done in a more private area or in isolation, would the results differ? There are many factors that can affect reliability and validity. It is very important that factors are controlled as much as possible to reduce their impact. This could be anything from a life event that affects a person’s mood or an environmental event that affects the surroundings of the particular study or research