Research methods 2: Reliability

Question 1

What is reliability?

Answer 1

The consistency of a measure

Question 2

What are the two ways of measuring reliability?

Answer 2

Inter- observer reliability
Test re- test reliability

Question 3

What is the definition of inter- observer reliability?

Answer 3

This is the extent to which two observers give consistent scores or estimates of behaviour

Question 4

What are the 4 steps to assessing reliability using inter- observer reliability (simplified)

Answer 4

-Two psychologists conduct the study separately and compare answers
-They both compare their results
-This checks for agreement, similar results = reliable
-This could be done by using correlation, strong positive correlation = reliable

Question 5

Which 3 ways can we improve inter- observer reliability?

Answer 5

-Training
-Operationalisation
-View of behaviour

Question 6

What is the definition of Test retest reliability?

Answer 6

This is the extent to which a tool is consistent or stable over time. Giving the same results from the same test at a different occasion.

Question 7

What are the 3 steps assessing reliability using test- retest reliability?

Answer 7

-Same test is given to a person on two different occasions and the scores are compared
-Similar results = reliable
-This could be done by using correlation, strong positive correlation = reliability

Question 8

How can we improve test- retest reliability?

Answer 8

-Alter the test to improve reliability
-Do this by looking closely at the test and identifying the parts that didn’t correlate
-Remove these parts to increase reliability