Saurabh SharmaAIR 23 · CSE 2023 · 130 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening
Reliability and validity are essential tests for producing/evaluating findings of sociological research.
Body · points and prose
Reliability : refers to "reproducability" of results if conducted in different time frames and over diverse scenarios.
Validity : refers to "acurateness"/accuracy of the findings. A valid findings has to necessarily be reliable but not vice versa.
Different types of validity
Ecological Construct External Internal Face
[Three targets showing: 1. Random dots (Neither reliable nor valid); 2. Clustered dots in upper outer ring (Reliable but not valid); 3. Clustered dots in center (Reliable and valid)]
Factors inhibiting reliability and validity
Quantitative methods
- Often reliable i.e. easily reproducible
- However, they at times to create the ecological validity i.e. replicating the true situation as meaning, motives, culture, history are ignored.
Qualitative methods
- Highly individualised experience of researcher thus reproducibility becomes a challenge
- Greater chances of researcher and respondent bias.
Close · a way forward
Methodological pluralism (e.g.: triangulation method) offers a way forward to ensure findings are reliable and valid.