Research Methods- Reliability Flashcards
Reliability -
Refers to how consistent the findings from an investigation or measuring device are. A measuring device is said to be reliable if it produces consistent results every time it is used.
Test-retest reliability -
A method of assessing the reliability of a questionnaire or psychological test by assessing the same person on two separate occasions. This shows to what extent the test (or other measure) produces the same answers i.e. is consistent or reliable.
Inter-observer reliability -
The extent to which there is agreement between two or more observers involved in observations of a behaviour. This is measured by correlating the observations of two or more observers. A general rule is that if (total number of agreements) / (total number of observations) > +.80, the data have high inter-observer reliability.
What is reliability in psychological research?
Reliability is a measure of consistency, referring to whether a measurement can be repeated and produce the same results.
How is reliability demonstrated in everyday objects like a ruler?
A ruler should produce the same measurement for an object (e.g., a chair) every time it is measured, unless the object itself changes (e.g., someone sits on the chair and squashes it).
Why is reliability more challenging in psychology compared to measuring concrete objects?
Psychologists measure abstract concepts like attitudes, aggression, memory, and IQ, which are harder to quantify consistently compared to concrete measurements like length or height.
What is the test-retest method for assessing reliability?
The test-retest method involves administering the same test or questionnaire to the same person on different occasions to check if the results are consistent.
What is the ideal time gap for the test-retest method?
The time gap should be sufficient to prevent participants from recalling their answers but not so long that their attitudes, opinions, or abilities change significantly.
How is reliability confirmed in the test-retest method?
The two sets of scores are correlated, and if the correlation is significant and positive, the measuring instrument is considered reliable.
What is inter-observer reliability?
Inter-observer reliability ensures that different observers apply behavioral categories consistently when recording data during observational research.
What is the ideal time gap for the test-retest method?
The time gap should be sufficient to prevent participants from recalling their answers but not so long that their attitudes, opinions, or abilities change significantly.
How is reliability confirmed in the test-retest method?
The two sets of scores are correlated, and if the correlation is significant and positive, the measuring instrument is considered reliable.
What is inter-observer reliability?
Inter-observer reliability ensures that different observers apply behavioral categories consistently when recording data during observational research.
How is inter-observer reliability established?
Observers conduct a pilot study or trial run to check if they are applying behavioral categories in the same way, and their independent data is later correlated to assess reliability.
What is inter-rater reliability?
Inter-rater reliability is similar to inter-observer reliability but applies to content analysis or other forms of observation where different raters assess the same data.
What is inter-interviewer reliability?
Inter-interviewer reliability ensures that different interviewers conduct interviews consistently, avoiding leading or ambiguous questions.
How can the reliability of questionnaires be improved?
Low test-retest reliability can be addressed by rewriting or removing ambiguous or complex questions and replacing open questions with closed, fixed-choice alternatives.
What is the recommended correlation coefficient for reliable questionnaires?
A correlation coefficient exceeding +0.80 is considered acceptable for reliable questionnaires.
How can the reliability of interviews be improved?
Using the same interviewer or training all interviewers to avoid leading or ambiguous questions can improve reliability, especially in structured interviews.
What can affect the reliability of experimental findings?
Testing participants under slightly different conditions each time can reduce the reliability of experimental findings.
Why are lab experiments often considered reliable?
Lab experiments allow researchers to exert strict control over procedures, such as instructions and testing conditions, making replication and consistency easier to achieve
How can the reliability of observations be improved?
Behavioral categories should be properly operationalized, measurable, self-evident, non-overlapping, and cover all possible behaviors to ensure consistent recording by observers.
What happens if behavioral categories are poorly operationalized?
Poorly operationalized categories can lead to inconsistent records, as observers may interpret and record behaviors differently.
