Drost, E. (2011). Validity and Reliability in Social Science Research. Education Research and Perspectives, 38(1), 105 – 123.T:he article starts with introducing and defining two factors that are used in social science research (study of human behavior) validity and reliability. These core elements when answered correctly help to properly defend a research question, thesis, or dissertation. When investigating (human) behavior the inquiry must be valid and reliable. Drost also dives into the differences between validity and reliability. Reliability refers to the consistency of a research study or test. It is defined as the degree to which a measure consistently produces the same result. Simply put by it is a measure of how well a test measures what it is supposed to measure (Bollen, 1998). The author supports these concepts by providing and explaining by diagram examples of reliability: test-retest reliability, inter-rater reliability, and internal consistency reliability (figure 1). Test-retest reliability refers to the consistency of a measure over time. Inter-rater reliability refers to the consistency of a measure between different raters or observers. Internal consistency reliability refers to the consistency of a measure across different items that are intended to measure the same problem. The visual aids provided help with understanding the differences and reliability and validity (figure 1 & 2). Validity is the main extent to which a concept, conclusion or measurement is well-founded and likely corresponds accurately to the real world. The word "valid" is from the Latin word validus, meaning strong. The validity of a measurement tool (in educational research) is the degree to which the tool measures what it claims to measure. Validity is based on the strength of a collection of different types of evidence (example face validity (weakest form of validity) and construct validity (broken down into 6 types in two categories by Trochim (2006). This is not the same as reliability which often a measurement gives results that are consistent. Within validity, the measurement does not always have to be similar, as it does in reliability. However, just because a measure is reliable, it is not necessarily valid. An example provided is. a scale that is 5 pounds off may be reliable but not valid. A test cannot be valid unless it is reliable. Validity is also dependent on the measurement measuring what it was designed to measure, and not something else instead. Validity (different but similar to reliability) is a relative concept; validity is not an all-or-nothing idea. There are many different types of validity. There are flaws in choosing the any type of validity or relatability but what is most important is choosing the right one for the research you want to measure. Validity= often not consistent, correct measure must be used to get accurate results -scale Reliability= positive consistency over time - car edu800 education validity reliability research week11 annotation design relative
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