Reliability and Validity

Reliability
Different definitions of reliability are
. if we measure the same set of objects again and
again with same or comparable measuring
instruments & if we get same of similar results
then the measurement is said to be reliable.
. Reliability means measures obtained from a
measuring instrument i.e. the true measures of
the property measured. This definition implies
the accuracy of the scale.
. Reliability means absence of errors if
measurement in a measuring instrument.

Methods of measuring Reliability

Re-test(test

retest ) method
Alternate of parallel forms method
Split half Method
Rw =
p

nr
p
1 (n 1)r

Validity
A scale is said to be valid when it correctly
measures what is is expected to measure.

Types of validity
Content
criterion

related
construct

Content validity

It ensures that the measure includes as adequate and

representative set of items that tap the concept.
The more the scale items represent the domain or
universe of the concept being measured , greater the
content validity.
So the easiest method of increasing the content
validity is increase the sample size.
The validity is judged by no. of experts on certain
fields. For example, if we are trying to measure the
degree of speech impairment and want to evaluate
the validity we should tally the type of categories
formed with the idea of group of expert judge in that
field.

Criterion Related Validity

It has two types of validity
concurrent validity and
predictive validity
Concurrent validity is established when the scale discriminates
individual who are known to be different, i.e. they should score
differently on the instrument. For example, the student appearing in
the slc exam of Nepal categories student in four categories viz.
distinction, first,second ,third division and fail, this scaling valid only if
it can keep different student with different knowledge in different
categories but the level of knowledge may be not only in this broad
categories so this scaling is concurrent invalid.
Predictive validity: It indicates the ability of measuring instrument to
different among individuals with reference to a future criterion . For
example. if an aptitude or ability test is administered to employees
at time of recruitment is to differentiate individual on the basis of
their future job performance, then whose who score low on the test
should be poor in work performance and vice versa.

Construct Validity

It testifies to how well results obtained from the use of

the measure fit the theories around which the test is
designed. This is asserted through
convergent and discriminant validity.
Convergent validity: It is established when the scores
obtained with two different instruments measuring the
same concept are highly correlated.
Discriminant validity: It is established when, based on
theory, two variables are predicted to be uncorrelated
and the scores obtained by measuring them are
indeed empirically found to be so.

Archors Bow Concept

Validity
Reliability
Low

Low

High

0
0

0
0

00
0 0

00
0 0 0

High