Reliaiblity and Validity
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4. Explain each of the following. If appropriate, give an example.
a) Difference between a reliability and validity of a test.
b) Can a test be reliable but not valid? Explain through an example.
c) Content validity: how is it different from other types of validities?
d) What are the differences between the criterion related and the construct validities?
e) Concurrent and predictive validities.
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By responding to the questions, this solution discusses aspects of reliability and validity. Examples are provided.
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RESPONSE:
4. Explain each of the following. If appropriate, give an example.
a) Difference between a reliability and validity of a test.
Reliability is the consistency of your measurement, or the degree to which an instrument measures the same way each time it is used under the same condition with the same subjects. A measure is considered reliable if a person's score on the same test given twice is similar. It is important to remember that reliability is not measured; it is estimated. (1)
The real difference between reliability and validity is mostly a matter of definition. Reliability estimates the consistency of your measurement, or more simply the degree to which an instrument measures the same way each time it is used in under the same conditions with the same subjects. Validity, on the other hand, involves the degree to which you are measuring what you are supposed to. For example, if you measure self-esteem with a depression scale, the scores are not an accurate measure of the level of your self-esteem. We would conclude that the depression lacks validity, when used to measure your self-esteem. Thus, validity is a measure of accuracy. However, it is still considered reliable, because your scores were consistent on the depression test given to you twice. (1)
b) Can a test be reliable but not valid? Explain through an example.
A test can be reliable but not valid. Reliability is about consistency of scores. As a case in point, let's say that the tester wanted to measure the construct self-esteem. So, she ...
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