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L5 Variables

Variables

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Ahmed Jaha
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4 views

L5 Variables

Variables

Uploaded by

Ahmed Jaha
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Variables in Research

Edited by: Anwar Alhenshiri


Reliability and Validity

Anwar Alhenshiri
What do you think?

What does the word What does the word


‘reliability’ mean? ‘validity’ mean?

Give an example to Give an example to


support. support.

LO: To describe and explain the difference between reliability and validity.
Put simply:

Reliable = repeatable. Valid = real thoughts, feelings, and


behaviour.
If another researcher did the same
experiment and got similar/same If a researcher is observing natural
results it would be reliable. behaviour, asking opinions, or conducts
their experiment in a natural setting, it
would be considered valid.

LO: To describe and explain the difference between reliability and validity.
So why is reliability and validity so important?

If research is going to be of any use, the results can’t just be a fluke. We


expect that if we repeated a study, we could get the same results.

Research needs to be reliable.

RELIABLE: concerns the consistency of a measurement. Every time a thing is


measured the result should be the same.

We also expect that the study actually represent what people do in their
everyday lives, not just in a laboratory.

Research needs to be valid.

VALIDITY: concerns whether a result is ‘true’. Valid research represents


something that is real. We want the study to represent everyday life.

LO: To describe and explain the difference between reliability and validity.
Reliability
Some important information about reliability:
Reliable = repeatable. If you can repeat something and get the same or
similar results, you could say that it is reliable. It is consistent across time.
Experiments – Lab experiments tend to be the most reliable because you
can control your variables and standardise procedures.
Interviews & Questionnaires – If the same person answers same questions in
the same way then it would be reliable.
Observations – Observers watches the same people at the same time and
get the same/similar results. (We will look at this in more detail).
(Interobserver reliability)
Quantitative methods (data in numbers) tends to be more reliable than
qualitative methods (data in words).
LO: To describe and explain the difference between reliability and validity.
Validity
Some important information about validity:
Validity = results reflect ‘real world’ behaviour. E.g. real thoughts, feelings,
actions, opinions.
Sampling methods – Stratified sampling is most likely to accurately reflect
your target population.
Experimental designs – Independent groups design can be made valid by
using random allocation.
Repeated measures design can be made more valid by using
counterbalancing.

Qualitative methods (data in words) have greater validity as they provide


unrestrictive information – e.g. Case studies, open questions.

LO: To describe and explain the difference between reliability and validity.
APPLY IT – Research Methods
A questionnaire was designed by a group of students to
investigate attitudes towards social media.

Q1. How might reliability be an issue for the students in


their questionnaire?

Q2. The students gave the questionnaires out to just their


close friends. How would this affect the validity of the
data collected?

Q3. One of their questions in the questionnaire collected


qualitative data. Explain why the data collected by this
question might have high validity.
LO: To describe and explain the difference between reliability and validity.
Q1. Reliability is:

a. Trueness of a study
b. Consistency
c. Results represent real life
d. Observation.

LO: To describe and explain the difference between reliability and validity.
Q2. Case studies are high in validity because:

a. Results are easy to analyse


b. Conclusions are subjective
c. Detailed information
d. No ethical issues.

LO: To describe and explain the difference between reliability and validity.

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