Reliability and Validity

Question 1

Define reliability.

Answer 1

The ability of an experiment to produce consistent results.

Question 2

Which type of research design may be unreliable?

Answer 2

Independent measures - variability between groups

Question 3

Define validity. Why should a test be valid?

Answer 3

1. Extent to which an experiment measures what it claims to

2. So the results can be accurately applied & interpreted

Question 4

What are the 2 types of validity?

Answer 4

1. External - whether sample represent the TP

2. Internal - whether the study’s measures actually test that characteristic

Question 5

What type of research design may invalidate results?

Answer 5

Repeated measures

• order effects (internal validity)
• demand characteristics