research methods: validity and reliability Flashcards
what is reliability
the consistency of the research
what is external reliability
how well the research can be replicated in future or by other researchers
what is internal reliability
does the test measure the same thing throughout and is it standardised
what is the test retest method
test/questionnaire/interview given twice to same participants and results compared (should be similar)
what is the inter-observer/rater method
2+ observers separately observe same event and recordings are compared for similarity
what does the reliability coefficient have to be
0.8
2 ways to improve reliability in questionnaires
1) remove problematic questions
2) make questions clearer
2 ways to improve reliability in interviews
1) use same, trained interviewer
2) use structured interview
2 ways to improve reliability in experiments
1) operationalise variables
2) standardise procedure
2 ways to improve reliability in observations
1) use precise behavioural categories
2) use categories that don’t overlap
what is validity
the accuracy of the research in measuring its intended behaviour
whats internal validity
extent to which study measures what it claims to measure (IV causes DV)
whats external validity
extent to which results can be generalised beyond study
whats ecological validity
extent to which results can be generalised to other settings
whats temporal validity
extent to which results can be generalised over time
