reliability

Question 1

reliability

Answer 1

refers to how consistent a measuring device is - and this includes psychological tests or observations which assess behaviour

Question 2

test-retest reliability

Answer 2

a method of assessing the reliability of a questionnaire or psychological test by assessing the same person on two seperate occasions

this shows to what extent the test (or other measure) produces the same answers

ie is consistent or reliable

Question 3

measuring reliability

Answer 3

using a correlation analysis

• the correlation coefficient should exceed +.80 for reliability

Question 4

improving reliability of questionnaires

Answer 4

comparing two sets of data - should produce a correlation that exceeds +.80

• if produces low test-retest reliability then some items may be required to be ‘deselected’ or rewritten (eg if too ambigious)
• could replace some open questions with closed, fixed choice alternatives which are less ambiguous

Question 5

improving reliability of interview

Answer 5

• use same interviewer each time
• if not possible , all trained properly
• avoid leading or ambiguous questions
• structured interviews

Question 6

improving reliability of observations

Answer 6

• make sure behavioural categories properly operationalised and measurable and self-evident
• if reliability low - observers need further training in using the behavioural categories

Question 7

improving reliability of experiments

Answer 7

• standardised procedures