reliability across all methods of investigation

Question 1

what is meant by reliability ?

Answer 1

• refers to the consistency of a test or procedure

Question 2

what is internal reliability ?

Answer 2

• concerns the extent to which something is consistent within itself
• e.g set of scales should measure the same weight between 50-100 g as between 150-200 g

Question 3

what is external validity ?

Answer 3

• concerns the extent to which a test measures consistently over time

Question 4

what are the 3 different ways to assess reliability ?

Answer 4

• split-half method
• test-retest method
• inter-observer

Question 5

what is the split-half method ?

Answer 5

• measures internal reliability
• splits a test into 2 and have the same ps do both halves
• if 2 halves of the test provide similar results tis indicates that the test has internal reliability

Question 6

what is the test-retest method ?

Answer 6

• measures external validity
• give the same test to the same ps on 2 occasions
• if same result obtained then reliability is established

Question 7

what is inter-observer reliability ?

Answer 7

• assesses whether different observers are viewing and rating behaviour in the same way
• achieved by conducting a correlation of all the observers scores with a high correlation indicating that they are observing and categorising behaviour consistently