Common Tests of Reliability

Reliability generalization examines reliability of scores from tests and detect the causes of measurement error (Kline, 2005).

Evaluating human services is a task that can be very complex. People can have different interpretations of the same event. Another concern is that people are not always honest. Therefore, human services will gain from effective, high quality evaluations of data collection methods. This requires that the data collection methods supply accurate and dependable information. This paper will define and describe 2 concepts of measurement known as reliability and validity,-provide examples and supporting facts as to how these concepts apply to data collection in human services, and evaluate the importance of the validity and

The information is presented in a direct manner, lacking unnecessary information, and written in a style which is easy for a range of readers to understand. They provide a thorough description of the development of the instrument, the norm population used, and an example of the survey, thus enabling the study to be replicated. A table of the frequencies and percentages of respondents’

“Problems researched with the use of appropriate methods greatly enhance the value of the research.” (Sekaran, 2003) Data can be collected through interviews, questionnaires, observations, and through other techniques, like projective tests. In even more detail, interviews can be conducted in a variety of different ways such as over the phone, through the computer, interviews through the electronic media, and face-to-face. Questionnaires can be conducted personally or administered electronically. “Interviewing, administering questionnaires, and observing people and phenomena are the three main data collection methods in survey research.” (Sekaran, 2003) As stated before, data can be collected in many different ways; however the value of the research is only greatly enhanced when personal opinions and bias is left out of the collection of data.

Multiple assessment techniques were utilized to assess variable data and compare the reliability of that data for each individual variable.

The three types of research methods that will be discussed are surveys, participant observation, and experimental methods. The best method depends on what you want to learn and how you want to learn it. It is important to have reliability in a study because any person that will read you study has to be able to replicate it and do the same steps you did to see what kind of results they get “the likelihood of obtaining consistent results using the same measure” (Conley,. pg.

Reliability refers to coherence, stability and dependability in test results, generally using internal consistency to express the levels of reliability in the test. The higher reliability indicates the higher level of accordance, stabilization and dependability in test results. Reliability is the precondition of validity (Guba and Lincoln, 1981). The same findings may not generate if the same research is repeated, because many influencing factors may work in the process of research. The process of establishment in reliability research includes: the research rigorously collect and explain data in consistent investigation (internal checks); the process is transparent (sample design, field work, inquiry and rational data). Patton (1987) suggests that the use of triangulation in multiple approaches can increase the reliability in results.

Cooper and Schindler (2014) provide examples of important questions to ask when conducting a study. These are mostly related to the collection of data, who collected the data, what were their credentials, when was the data collected, how large was the sample, from where was the sample taken, and so on. These types of questions address the reliability

The data and findings of a researcher has been tested for its accuracy, objectivity and reliability by using several different strategies (Objakor, Bakken & Rotatori 2010:28)

Reliability has a long history as one of the key psychometric properties of a test, but a given test might not measure people equally reliably (Hu, Nesselroade, Erbacher, Boker, Burt, Keel & ... Klump, 2016). Test scores from some individuals might have considerably greater error than others. It has a lot to do with the consistency of the test subject’s performance on the test. While there are several methods for estimating test reliability, the four major types are inter-rater, test-retest, parallel, and internal consistency (Heneman, Judge, & Kammeyer-Mueller, 2012).

It is, therefore, the responsibility of any or all assessors to obtain measures adhering to the highest level of reliability. These are located in the originally published empirical article(s), which are consistent with the American Psychological Association (APA) rules.

Test-retest reliability, which is the measurement of change over 2 different measures, is seen in regards to this assessment. This type of reliability determines if an assessment is reliable over repeated measures. The BADLS had good test-retest reliability with a coefficient of r = 0.95 (Fish, 2011, p. 452). When measuring the reliability or consistency of an assessment, the standard coefficient should be greater than 0.9 (Hinojosa, Kramer, & Rogers, 2014, p. 152). This means that the BADLS is consistent in measuring change over 2 occasions.

Reliability is the measure of confidence placed on a test. There are several ways to measure reliability that include correlational methods of Pearson’s r which is a ratio used to determine the strength and direction of a correlation. Internal consistency can be tested using procedures

Reliability is defined, within psychometric testing, as the stability of a research study or measure(s). Reliability can be examined externally, Inter-rater and Test-Retest, as well as internally; which is seen in internal consistency reliability methods.

In survey method research, participants answer questions administered through interviews or questionnaires. After participants answer the questions, researchers describe the responses given. In order for the survey to be both reliable and valid it is important that the questions are constructed properly. Questions should be written so they are clear and easy to comprehend.