VALIDITY VS. RELIABILITY AND THE MAIN DIFFERENCES Flashcards
What is validity?
How we know that the data we collect accurately
gauge what we are trying to measure.
What is validity in quantitative research?
validity is linked to the kind of research being conducted (survey, experimental, etc.). Errors that affect validity: systematic or constant errors.
what is internal validity? (quantitative research)
the degree to which observed differences on the dependent variable are a direct result of manipulation of the independent variable, not some other variable.
what is external validity? (quantitative research)
the degree to which study results are generalizable, or applicable, to groups and environments outside of the research setting.
what is validity in qualitative research?
“trustworthiness”
Can use member checking (sending transcripts to participants to check for accuracy) and triangulation (using multiple forms of date instead of relying on just one).
what is the importance of validity?
For the study to be valid, the measurement procedure must be actually measuring what it claims to be measuring. This is important, as if you have a set of results that you think are about one thing and they are actually about another, your entire study will be completely useless.
what is reliability?
The degree to which a test consistently measures
whatever it measures.
what is the description of reliability?
Expressed numerically, usually as a coefficient. High coefficient = high reliability. Value above .85 is best, with 1.00 representing perfect reliability. Not test is perfect, scores are invariably affected by errors of measurement resulting from a variety of causes. Errors that affect reliability: random errors. Not used in qualitative research since it is numbers based.
what is the importance of reliability?
If an experimenter got different results every time they did the test, then how would they know which results were the true ones? They couldn’t answer their research question.
what is the main difference between validity and reliability?
A valid test is always reliable BUT a reliable test
is not necessarily valid. Validity is looking to ensure we are measuring what we said we would, while reliability is a test to measure consistency.
