3.4 VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY
Validity and reliability are key aspects of all research. These two factors can make a significant difference between a well conducted research paper and a poor research paper, and can help to ensure the creditability and trustworthiness of information gathered. This is vital when performing qualitative research, as the researcher’s subjectivity may cause data to be interpreted incorrectly. Validity and reliability of research is specifically important where research findings are being viewed with scepticism (Brink, 1993:1).
It is important to address the trustworthiness of research study findings. Trustworthiness is about establishing the credibility, transferability, confirmability and dependability of researcher’s
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South Africa has a shortage of 22 000 qualified accountants, according to the South African Institute of Chartered Accountancy. The Department of Higher Education has acknowledged the shortage, and has decided to review the qualification process, as well as reduce barriers to entry at university level (Innocenti, 2009:1) South Africa’s education system will not function effectively, until various education factors are resolved. These factors include, the weak functionality of institutions, poor knowledge content of teachers, and insufficent learning time for students (Masondo, 2016:1).
According to N. Bothma (2016), student numbers at universities have doubled since 1994, but approximately 45% of students entering, drop-out without obtaining the relevant qualification. Lack of finance contributes enormously toward the drop-out rates. Another factor which contributes towards the high drop-out rates is student’s unpreparedness for higher education. 5. CONCLUSIONS AND
There are many contributing factors why first year college students fail and drop out of college or university. Some students completed high school and are still not ready to face the high demand of college work level. Others think that they can handle college work but lack the skills to live as an independent to encounter the challenges and responsibilities of college life. Some students have poor
Validity refers to whether the research conducted is what it intended to be. Validity involves dependability, which means, a valid measure must be reliable. But, reliability doesn’t have to link to validity, a reliable measure is not required to be valid.
The Chartered Accounting profession of South Africa is one of the most esteemed professions in the world, due to the enhancement and maintenance thereof by the South African accounting institutions (South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, 2011). This essay will discuss the Chartered Accounting profession in South Africa by referring to the professionalisation of accountancy in South Africa and the professional status of Chartered Accountancy in terms of the definition of a profession. This essay will furthermore explore the mechanisms that are inaugurated at present by the South African accounting institutions to maintain the professionalism of Chartered Accountancy.
Colleges are noticing a drop in students’ interest in a higher education, because it forces them to fall into poverty. Obtaining a higher education is a dream of many working class citizens, but the price to go to a choice college is not available economically. The majority of students use some type of student loan, they have become the norm for attending college (Johnston, Roten 24). College is becoming unaffordable to many lower class students. With tuition prices this high, students are backing out of school and looking for jobs that only require a high school diploma. Student loans should help people, but it is only hurting them because they feel like they can never repay it. Especially since student debt continues to rise. “Student loan debt rose by 328 percent from $241 million in 2003 to $1.08 trillion in 2013, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York” (Johnston, Roten 25).
While the methodology of the research seemed solid, there were factors which were out of the control of the researchers which made the process more difficult to verify. Because the researchers chose a public web forum, they were unable to verify the legitimacy
The qualitative article being appraised is by Martin and Woods (2012) using the CASP tool qualitative framework (CASP 2013). These tools have been validated to ensure that studies can be assessed in a consistent way assessing the trustworthiness of the research article (Aveyard, 2014)
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.
In this essay I will state the current challenges with curriculum of South Africa, and what impact it has on me as a student-teacher and my future as a teacher of South Africa. I will state implications of integrating the curriculum in the class and what it means to “transfer” the curriculum to the learners in my class.
Many colleges and universities throughout the United States and several other countries face a common problem. Student retention is a growing problem across the nation for all ethnic groups and all ages. Each individual who chooses to drop out of school has their own personal reasons as to why they do. However, many drops out can be completely avoided. When students drop out they are not clearly thinking about how it’s going to affect their future, the future of their children and even grandchildren. Although there are several reasons as to why students drop out of school, we will be exploring a few as it relates to why student retention is a growing problem.
It is worth stating that to assess the quality of social science research; four criteria of evaluation can be applied: validity, reliability, comprehensiveness (generalization) and coherence (objectivity) (Hugh 2001:49). These criteria have been found to be more applicable to quantitative. However,
College graduation and dropout rates have long been used as a central indicator of education system productivity and effectiveness and of social and economic well-being. Today, interest in the accuracy and usefulness of these statistics is particularly acute owing to a confluence of circumstances, including changing demographics, new legislative mandates, and heightened political pressures to reduce the incidence of dropping out. Students who are unable to pass the assessments may simply leave school before graduating. Not everyone drops out because they lack the determination to finish, instead they run into another obstacle while equipped with the motivation. Those of which are trying to regulate the balance of work and school, unexpected family problems, and financial problems.
1. More and more students have to pay for college on their own, or with little assistance from their parents. Learning how to live on one’s own and today’s complicated financial world is stressful, and it’s no wonder that some students would rather drop out and get a job rather than continue studing.
Life is believed to be easier for people with higher degrees than for those without higher degrees. Hence, it is the joy of parents to see their children admitted into a higher institution. With the high cost attached to attending a four year university, most students prefer to attend community colleges. Community colleges provide the same quality of education offered by universities for the first two years at a lower cost which help students reduce debts toward getting their higher degree. However, compared to the number of students who started their first year in community colleges, a large percentage dropped out. This is common to both freshly graduated high school students and adults who came back to college to obtain a degree. Students drop out of colleges because of financial issues and the need to take remedial courses. As a result, they have self esteem issues and may remain poor.
While there are many problems college students’ face while attempting to obtain a degree, the largest hindrance from completion is that of financial ability. One of the largest contributors to college dropout rates is the lack of financial support. Many college students must work either full or part time to support themselves or their families. With the declining economy and increasing costs of college tuition, funds are being scarcely distributed and many college students find that they are unable to continue their education due of this.
With its interest that people in South Africa should pay more attention to the critical importance of education at this stage of transformation.