reliability and validity Flashcards
reliability
refers to how consistent the findings from an investigation or measuring device are
validity
refers to the extent to which the observed effect is genuine - did the researchers measure what they intended to measure/ can the results be generalised beyond the setting they were found in?
internal validity
whether the procedure measured what it intended to measure
control within the study
external validity
extent to which findings can be generalised to different populations, settings and time periods
Population validity
the extent to which findings can be generalised to wider populations
how can population validity be improved
by using a more representative sample
Ecological validity
the extent to which the findings of a study can be generalised to settings other than where the research took place
how can ecological validity be improved
increasing the level of experimental realism
Temporal validity
the extent to which the findings of a study can be generalised to different time periods
Face validity
way of assessing whether a measuring tool, is measuring what it intends to
Concurrent validity
nvolves obtaining two sets of scores at the same time
how to asses external validity
the study should be replicated on different populations, settings or during different time periods and the findings correlated with the original study - if a positive correlation (+0.8) = results are valid
Internal reliability
the extent to which something is consistent within itself
External reliability
a measure of the consistency over time
Test-retest method
presented the participants with the same test/ questionnaire on 2 different occasions. Scores from both tests will be correlated with each other to assess reliability. If positive correlation (+0.8) = reliable <— Spearman’s Rho test
Its important to leave an appropriate time period between the test and retest to ensure they cant recall their previous answers, but not too long that they change their attitudes or beliefs
