This topic contains a solution. Click here to go to the answer

Author Question: Compare and contrast the general definitions of the terms reliability and validity as they apply to ... (Read 41 times)

plus1

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 676
Compare and contrast the general definitions of the terms reliability and validity as they apply to standardized testing. Explain the problems that would be encountered if a test were unreliable. Include in your discussion definitions of the three forms of reliability described in the text. How does a test's reliability affect its validity? Explain the relationship between reliability and validity.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Mr. Torres is looking to purchase computer software that students will find engaging and that will allow them to work collaboratively in small groups. Which of the following types of programs best meets this description?
 
  a. drill-and-practice
  b. tutorial
  c. virtual environments
  d. all of the above



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
Marked as best answer by a Subject Expert

mirabriestensky

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 325
Answer to Question 1

Reliability is defined as the similarity between two rankings of test scores obtained from the same individual. The more test scores are free of measurement error, the greater the probability that two scores from the same individual will be the same. Validity is defined as how well a test measures what it claims to measure. Reliability and validity are both critical issues in testing. In order to make meaningful interpretations of students' test scores, tests must yield consistent scores and be measuring what the user intends to measure.
Three types of reliability were discussed in the text.
Test-retest reliability: This pertains to the stability of an individual's test score when given the same test on two separate occasions. If a test does not have test-retest reliability a student may score very well on one occasion and very poorly on a second occasion. This would make it impossible to finally determine an accurate indication of the individual's level of the characteristic being measured.

Alternate-form reliability: This pertains to the equivalence of two forms of a single test. Both forms should measure the same content using items of similar difficulty. If a test does not have this characteristic student performance would be affected by the form of the test they took when they should be able to take either form and score the same.

Split-half reliability: This pertains to the homogeneity or internal consistency of a test's items. They should all be working together to measure the same characteristic. If a test does not have this quality, some of its items will be measuring the intended characteristic while others will be measuring something else. For example, math word problems should not have difficult vocabulary. This would result in items measuring language skills rather than math skills.
Tests must be reliable in order for them to be valid. If a test's scores are not consistent over time, or forms of a test are not equivalent, or its items measure the wrong characteristics, appropriate conclusions regarding student performance cannot be made. However, when a test is valid, meaning that it is measuring the right thing and appropriate conclusions regarding student performance can be made, then we know it must be reliable.

Answer to Question 2

D




plus1

  • Member
  • Posts: 676
Reply 2 on: Jun 20, 2018
Excellent


ttt030911

  • Member
  • Posts: 315
Reply 3 on: Yesterday
YES! Correct, THANKS for helping me on my review

 

Did you know?

More than one-third of adult Americans are obese. Diseases that kill the largest number of people annually, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke, and hypertension, can be attributed to diet.

Did you know?

There are 60,000 miles of blood vessels in every adult human.

Did you know?

Cancer has been around as long as humankind, but only in the second half of the twentieth century did the number of cancer cases explode.

Did you know?

Calcitonin is a naturally occurring hormone. In women who are at least 5 years beyond menopause, it slows bone loss and increases spinal bone density.

Did you know?

About 100 new prescription or over-the-counter drugs come into the U.S. market every year.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library