Author Question: What is validity? How does it relate to reliability? What will be an ideal ... (Read 15 times)

imanialler · **on:** Jun 22, 2018

What is validity? How does it relate to reliability?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What is reliability?

What will be an ideal response?

GCabra · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Without reliability, you have no chance for general accuracy. Thus, reliability is a precondition for validity (i.e., accuracy). We then assume that in any good study, the instruments used have acceptable reliability and validity. If they do not, then the results cannot be trusted and are of no use to you, just as the results of the wildly swinging weight scale are of no use to you.

Answer to Question 2

Instruments must be reliable to be useful. Reliability refers to consistency. If you step on a weight scale three times within a minute, assuming you made no changes (removed no clothing, drank no water, etc.), you should have pretty consistent weight readings if your scale is reliable. If your readings swing wildly by 5 or 10 pounds each time you step on the scale, you know you have an unreliable instrument.