Yaksh ChaudharyAIR 6 · CSE 2021 · 155 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening
Reliability and validity are two parameters in sociological research which determine its accuracy and acceptance.
Body · points
Role of Reliability
Reliability can be defined as chance of producing the same result if the research is done many times.
- High reliability increases acceptance of research.
- It makes the reflexivity possible on research. Other sociologists can also study the same phenomenon. E.g. many sociologists studied suicide.
- It helps in maintaining objectivity in the research.
Role of Validity
Validity is the how accurately the research can explain the given phenomenon or behavior. ALAN BRYMAN described 4 types of validity (i.e. Internal, external, ecological, measurement validity)
- High Validity makes the theory or generalisation more close the Reality. for eg. Ethnography can improve validity (Radcliff Brown's study on Andaman island)
- Theory making or generalisation is easy.
Close · a summary
Quantitative methods have high validity and reliability than qualitative methods. Hence validity and reliability make research more objective, acceptable and accurate.