Week 11 Discussion: Validity and Reliability in the Research Process

This discussion post delves into the crucial concepts of validity and reliability within the research process. It begins by defining validity as the extent to which research tools accurately measure what they are intended to measure, and reliability as the consistency of results when using the same instruments repeatedly. The post then highlights the key differences between validity and reliability, emphasizing that a valid instrument must be reliable, but a reliable instrument is not necessarily valid. The importance of both concepts is underscored, with validity ensuring the accuracy of research findings and reliability ensuring the consistency and accuracy of measurements. The discussion also covers the different types of validity (content, construct, internal, criterion) and emphasizes the importance of scholarly writing and proper referencing to avoid plagiarism.

Discussion on the Meaning of
Validity and Reliability

Table of content
Meaning.......................................................................................................................................3
Difference....................................................................................................................................3
Importance...................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

Meaning
Reliability referred as an extent up-to which same type of answers could be obtained by
making use of the same instruments greater than one time (Maxwell, J. A. (2017)). In other
words, if the research conducted is attached with higher level of the reliability, then the other
scholars required to generate same results by using same type of research methods under the
similar conditions.
Validity is defined as extent to which the needs of the scientific research tools had been
followed during a procedure of generating the research findings and results (Volk, Veenstra and
Espelage, 2017). There are different form of the research validity that involves content validity,
construct validity, internal validity, criterion validity etc.
Difference
There are several differences between validity and reliability based on several points that are as
follows-
Basis Validity Reliability
Definition It is implied as degree to which
instrument of research measures,
what it intended to measure.
It refers to an extent to which the
scale produces constant results at
the time when the repeated
measurements are been made.
Instrument An instrument that seems as
valid can always be indicated as
reliable.
However, reliable instrument
may not be reflected as the valid
instrument.
Relates to It is mainly related with an
accuracy of the research report.
On the other side, it depicts the
precision of the report.
Value It is counted as more valuable in
preparing for the research study
(Wynveen, and et.al., (2017)).
On other note, it is seen as
comparatively less valuable in
making the study as compared to
validity.
Assessment In this, the assessment becomes
as more and more difficult or
complex.
However, under this the analysis
deemed as easy in comparison to
validity.

Importance
Reliability plays a significant role in research as it measures accuracy and consistency of
the study. However, validity also plays a critical role as it helps in generating the results
accurately with an application of scientific methods.

REFERENCES
Books and journal
Maxwell, J. A. (2017). The validity and reliability of research: A realist perspective. The
BERA/SAGE handbook of educational research. 116-140.
Volk, A. A., Veenstra, R. and Espelage, D. L., 2017. So you want to study bullying?
Recommendations to enhance the validity, transparency, and compatibility of bullying
research. Aggression and violent behavior. 36. pp.34-43.
Wynveen, C. J. and et.al., (2017). Comparing the validity and reliability of place attachment
across cultures. Society & Natural Resources. 30(11). 1389-1403.