3g- Reliability Flashcards
What may variation in experimental results be due to?
The reliability of measurement methods and/or inherent variation in the specimens
How can the reliability of measuring instruments or procedures be determined, and what does any variation observed indicate?
By repeated measurements or readings of an individual datum point, any variation observed indicates the precision of the measurement instrument or procedure but not necessarily its accuracy
How can the natural variation in the biological material being used be determined?
By measuring a sample of individuals from the population
What does the mean of these repeated measurements give an indication of?
The true value being measured
What is the range of values a measure of. and what does a narrow range mean in terms of variation?
The extent of variation in the results, a narrow range means that the variation is low
Why should an independent replication be carried out?
To produce independent data sets
What should be done with an independent data set?
It should be compared to determine the reliability of the results
When can results be considered reliable?
When they are achieved consistently
