What is validity in sociological research? Explain the relationship between validity and reliability.

• is the accuracy of the study or how accurately the researcher has measured what is intended to be measured.

It can be of four types: (i) Face validity (ii) Construct validity (iii) Criteria validity (iv) Mechanical validity.

In its most basic, mechanical validity is how closely the conceptual definition and the operational indicators of the construct under study fit together or matches.

Relation b/w validity & Reliability:- The relationship is dynamic: (1) Reliability is a necessary, but not sufficient condition for validity. i.e a high reliability does not

mean high validity, but for high validity high reliability is necessary.

• Researchers feel that validity is more important than reliability.

Reliability - is the consistancy of the measurement i.e. how consistent is the test if it is repeated under similar condition for the same subject (ii) High Reliability and Low validity

• The test consistently is off the mark but the error is constant, with same result. (iii) Low Reliability and Low validity
• The test is always off the mark but the error is inconsistent i.e with different result.

• When the level of abstractness of the construct is high (e.g. 'Alienation') then measuring Reliability and Validity is difficult.