Measurement
Reliability can be established empirically by means of repeatedtrials. In other words, the selected measuring procedure is subjected to anumber of trials, and if the results are the same for each trial,reliability is established (Kiefer, 1997). This also means that personsother than the initial researcher can replicate the measuring procedure andstill produce the same results. There is therefore no doubt that anyconclusions, theories or claims emanating from the research are based upon Although reliability can be established in empirical terms, Kiefer(1997) warns that inherent difficulties may still arise with this aspect ofmeasurement. The ideal is to measure exactly the issue at the heart of theexperiment. The difficulty arises when such focus becomes challenging withthe introduction of elements other than those being measured. Thisfrequently occurs when the study area is situated in a natural or socialsetting. When the focus of study and measurement is for example somethingas complex as human behavior, it is unlikely that exactly the same resultwill be obtained each time. In this case the measuring device is the
If the studydesign is carried out in an acceptable and established manner, facevalidity is satisfied. Whereasreliability is concerned with the processes and instruments by whichresearch is conducted, validity is concerned with the finished research. Construct validity researches theory in termsof measurement. A further element of internal validity isthe exploration of alternative explanations for apparently causalrelationships explored within the study. However, the focus of anyspecific study should be the guiding principle for establishing as great adegree of both measuring elements as possible. The aim is agreement between a theory and a measurement. The question here is therefore focused more broadly, and concerns theaccuracy with which a study reflects the concept being studied. Another way in which to deal with the problem is to use previousstudies as a guideline, and combine already established validity with newmeasurements. If allelements of validity are then carefully examined within a specific study,and combined with the level of reliability, researchers could then at leastdetermine the degree of validity for a specific field of study. Because the researcher is human, suchobservations are subject not only to flaw, but to multiple interpretations. Severalelements of validity can then be investigated. Content validity, as mentioned above, concerns the relevance of themeasurements to the intended content of the study. In conclusion, it is not possible to establish absolute validity oreven in some cases absolute reliability. Internal validity is established in terms of theelements within the study itself, of which reliability is a part.
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Acceptance Essays
