Reliability
When we do quantitative research, we want to ensure that if someone else wishes to repeat our study, they would obtain the same results we did. This ensures the reliability of our research.
Better yet is if you were to repeat the study with your sample, you find the same relative standing of the individuals in their groups, i.e. consistency.
One key way is in ensuring the precision of the instruments / measures you use.
Key things to keep in mind in regards to reliability:
1. Repeatability
2. Consistency
3. Accuracy
Better yet is if you were to repeat the study with your sample, you find the same relative standing of the individuals in their groups, i.e. consistency.
One key way is in ensuring the precision of the instruments / measures you use.
Key things to keep in mind in regards to reliability:
1. Repeatability
2. Consistency
3. Accuracy
The video below explains reliability. It does move into talking about validity, which will help you for our next discussion on validity (on the next page).
Need more info, see:
Research Methods in Education - pg146
SPSS Survival Manual - pg6
Research Methods in Education - pg146
SPSS Survival Manual - pg6
In short, the ideal study look at both reliability and validity.
(Image source: http://www.documentingexcellence.com/stat_tool/reliabilityvalidity.htm)