1/2/2015 Validity and Reliability ­ How to Know if the Research is Correct?

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Validity and Reliability

Martyn Shuttleworth 452.9K reads 4 Comments Explorable App
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The principles of validity and reliability are fundamental
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Together, they are at the core of what is accepted as scientific proof, by

scientist and philosopher alike.

This article is a part of the guide:

By following a few basic principles, any experimental design will stand up to
Validity and Reliability
rigorous questioning and skepticism.
Discover 21 more articles on this topic

What is Reliability? Don't miss these related articles:

1 Definition of Reliability
The idea behind reliability is that any significant results must be more than a
2 Types of Validity
one-off finding and be inherently repeatable.
3 External Validity
4 Construct Validity
Other researchers must be able to perform exactly the same experiment, under
5 Internal Validity
the same conditions and generate the same results. This will reinforce the
findings and ensure that the wider scientific community will accept the
hypothesis.
Browse Full Outline

1 Validity and Reliability

Without this replication of statistically significant results, the experiment and
research have not fulfilled all of the requirements of testability. 2 Types of Validity

3 External Validity
This prerequisite is essential to a hypothesis establishing itself as an accepted
scientific truth. 4 Internal Validity

For example, if you are performing a time critical experiment, you will be using 5 Test Validity

some type of stopwatch. Generally, it is reasonable to assume that the

6 Content Validity
instruments are reliable and will keep true and accurate time. However, diligent
scientists take measurements many times, to minimize the chances of 7 Construct Validity

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1/2/2015 Validity and Reliability ­ How to Know if the Research is Correct?

malfunction and maintain validity and reliability. 8 Face Validity

At the other extreme, any experiment that uses human judgment is always 9 Definition of Reliability

going to come under question.

10 Test–Retest Reliability

For example, if observers rate certain aspects, like in Bandura’s Bobo Doll 11 Interrater Reliability
Experiment, then the reliability of the test is compromised. Human judgment
12 Internal Consistency Reliability
can vary wildly between observers, and the same individual may rate things
differently depending upon time of day and current mood. 13 Instrument Reliability

This means that such experiments are more difficult to repeat and are inherently
less reliable. Reliability is a necessary ingredient for determining the overall Save this course for later
validity of a scientific experiment and enhancing the strength of the results.
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Debate between social and pure scientists, concerning reliability, is robust and
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What is Validity?

Validity encompasses the entire experimental concept and establishes whether

the results obtained meet all of the requirements of the scientific research
method.

For example, there must have been randomization of the sample groups and
appropriate care and diligence shown in the allocation of controls.

Internal validity dictates how an experimental design is structured and

encompasses all of the steps of the scientific research method.

Even if your results are great, sloppy and inconsistent design will compromise
your integrity in the eyes of the scientific community. Internal validity and
reliability are at the core of any experimental design.

External validity is the process of examining the results and questioning

whether there are any other possible causal relationships.

Control groups and randomization will lessen external validity problems but no
method can be completely successful. This is why the statistical proofs of a
hypothesis called significant, not absolute truth.

Any scientific research design only puts forward a possible cause for the studied
effect.

There is always the chance that another unknown factor contributed to the
results and findings. This extraneous causal relationship may become more
apparent, as techniques are refined and honed.

Conclusion

If you have constructed your experiment to contain validity and reliability then
the scientific community is more likely to accept your findings.

Eliminating other potential causal relationships, by using controls and duplicate

samples, is the best way to ensure that your results stand up to rigorous
questioning.

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Types of Validity
External Validity
Internal Validity
Definition of Reliability

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How to cite this article:

Martyn Shuttleworth (Oct 20, 2008). Validity and Reliability. Retrieved

Jan 02, 2015 from Explorable.com: https://explorable.com/validity-
and-reliability

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