Reliability For Your Research

10.05.21 Types of reliability Time to read: 7min

How do you like this article?

0 Reviews


Types of Reliability-01

When undertaking in-depth research, reliability is one of the essential aspects that all university and college students need to follow to create a comprehensive project. With reliability in place, it will be easy for you to assess whether the conditions, assessments and research factors are accurate. Read on to learn more about reliability and its importance.

Reliability - FAQ

Below are the different types of reliability and what they measure:

Test-retest: It calculates the consistency of the same test over a specific period.
Interrater: It analyses the constancy of the same test done by different individuals.
Internal consistency: It assesses the consistency of the individual items of a test.
Parallel forms: It evaluates the consistency of different versions of a test that are made to be equal.

Tip: If you are done with your academic work, we can help you with dissertation printing!

Reliability denotes the consistency of a method to measure something. So, if you constantly attain similar results under the same scenarios and use the same techniques, then the measurement is seen as reliable.

On the other hand, validity denotes how accurate a method analyses what it’s designed to analyse. Thus, research with high validity means it gives results that match the actual characteristics, variations and properties in the social and physical world.

You can approximate reliability by comparing various types of the same measurement. Assessing validity is tricky, but you can estimate it by comparing relevant theory and data results.

Well, there are several ways of making sure your research is valid. They include:

  • Use appropriate measurement methods
  • Pick your subjects by using the correct sampling methods

Reliability: Definition

Well, reliability denotes the ability to get similar results over time using the same instrument to measure something. Merely put, it refers to the degree to which a given research technique gives consistent and stable results. A given measure is labelled as reliable if its usage on the same object gives the same results following several tests.

Utilise the final format revision for a flawless end product
Before the printing process of your dissertation, revise your formatting using our 3D preview feature. This provides an accurate virtual depiction of what the physical version will look like, ensuring the end product aligns with your vision.

Types of Reliability

Type of reliability What it measures
Test-retest The same test over a given period
Interrater The same test performed by different persons
Parallel forms Different types of the test that are made to be equal
Internal consistency The individual objects of a test items

Test-Retest Reliability

An overview of test-retest

Test-retest reliability analyses the consistency in results if you use the same sample to perform the same test at different time ranges. You will use this type of reliability when evaluating something that you anticipate to remain constant in a particular sample test.

Why is it important?

Several aspects can affect your test results at different time ranges. For instance, your respondents may fail to respond accurately after facing various external conditions and moods. Here is where test-retest reliability comes in handy as it assists you in evaluating how well a specific measurement method battles these aspects over time. The difference within a particular set of results needs to be as minimal as possible for the final results to be labelled as consistent.

Test-retest example

You design a questionnaire to evaluate the IQ of a few individuals. Remember that IQ isn’t a factor that changes substantially over a period. If you perform the test one or two months apart from a few individuals and get results that vary significantly, then the test-retest of your project is low.

How to improve test-retest

  • Try to frame statements, tasks and questions in a manner that will not be impacted by the participants’ concentration or mood when developing the test.
  • Keep in mind that the participants can experience changes over time. So, take this into consideration.
  • Try to lower the impact of external factors when formulating your data collection methods. Also, you need to test all samples under similar conditions.

Interrater Reliability

An overview of interrater reliability

Also known as interobserver, interrater reliability calculates the degree of agreement between a group of people assessing or observing the same test. You will use this method in data collected by scholars assigning scores, categories or ratings to one or many variables.

Why is it important?

Since people are independent, the view of different observers will naturally vary in different phenomena and circumstances. The main objective of reliable research entails lowering the independent view of the observers as much as possible to make it easy to replicate similar results.

When developing data collection criteria and scale, it would be wise to ensure that different individuals will give consistent variables with insignificant bias. Well, this is useful if there’re several scholars involved in data collection and evaluation.

Interrater example

A group of researchers checks the wound healing process in patients. For the team to record the healing stages, they have to use rating scales and criteria to evaluate the different wound aspects. If you assess and compare the researchers’ results observing the same set of patients and realise a strong correlation, then the test has a high interrater.

How to improve interrater

  • Clearly outline the methods and variables to be used in the test
  • If the research will involve several researchers, make sure they undergo similar training and uses the same information
  • Design an objective and detailed criterion showing how the variables will be categorised, rated and counted

Parallel Forms Reliability

An overview of parallel forms

Parallel forms reliability simply analyses the correlation between two similar versions of a test. You’ll use this technique if you’ve two sets of questions or different calculation tools created to assess the same thing.

Why is it important?

You have to ensure that all sets of measurements and questions offer you reliable results if you’re looking forward to using different types of a test. This way, you will prevent the respondents from retelling similar answers from memory.

Parallel forms example

Questions are framed to assess the financial risk dislike amongst a few respondents. The respondents and questions are randomly categorised into two teams and set. The two teams take both tests: the first group takes the first set while the second group takes the second test. Comparing the results and finding out they are virtually similar indicates a high parallel form.

How to improve parallel form reliability

  • Make sure that all test items and questions are founded on the same theory. Also, it would help if you framed them to assess the same thing.
Avoid losing marks on your final paper
Incorrectly citing sources or paraphrasing often result in mark deductions. Run your paper through our online plagiarism checker to minimise risking penalties for committing plagiarism. In just 10 minutes, you can submit your paper assuredly.

Internal Consistency

An overview of internal consistency

Internal consistency measures the correlation between several items in a test designed to assess the same thing. In fact, you can measure the internal consistency without including other scholars or repeating the test. Thus, this method provides an incredible way of evaluating consistency if you only have a single set of data.

Why is it important?

You have to ensure all set of items give the same thing if you derive a set of ratings and questions combined to get an overall score. Remember that you’ll end up with an unreliable test when the responses to different items contradict.

Internal consistency example

A team of respondents is given a set of questions intended to assess their optimistic and pessimistic mindsets. The group has to rate their agreement on a scale of 1 – 5. The optimistic team has to provide high grades to the optimistic indicators and low grades to the pessimistic ones for the test to be internally consistent. The test will have a low internal consistency if you recognise a weak correlation between the optimistic questions.

How to improve internal consistency

  • It would help if you were extra cautious when formulating the measures and questions.
  • The questions designed to reflect the same perception needs to be cautiously prepared and be based on the same theory.
Choose BachelorPrint for printing & binding your paper! CONFIGURE NOW!

Which Type of Reliability Applies to My Research?

When it comes to formulating your research design, collecting data, analysing it and writing up the research, it’s advisable to incorporate reliability. Usually, your research type and methodology determine the suitable reliability.

Type of Methodology The Ideal Reliability
Assessing a test that you project to give similar results over a period Test-retest
Several scholars giving ratings or comments about the same test Interrater
Evaluating the same thing with different tests Parallel forms
Utilising several tests in a situation where all items are made to assess a similar variable Internal consistency

How to Ensure Reliability in Your Research

It’s always sensible to include reliability throughout your data collection process. When using a certain method or tool to collect data, it’s essential to get reproducible, precise and stable results. Here’s how you can ensure consistency in your research.

Standardise the research conditions

The situations need to be consistent to lower the impact of external factors that may lead to results variation when collecting data. For instance, in an experimental setting, you must ensure that all participants are assessed under similar circumstances and are offered similar information.

Apply your techniques consistently

For instance, you have to precisely outline how particular behaviour and responses will be handled when performing an interview or observation. Besides, the questions must be phrased the same way at all times.

In a Nutshell

  • Reliability evaluates the degree of constancy of test results performed repeatedly.
  • Validity tests the accuracy of a technique used to test a given sample.
  • Reliability and validity are independent and different from one another.

From

Lisa Neumann

How do you like this article?

0 Reviews
 
About the author

Lisa Neumann is studying marketing management dual at IU Nuremberg and working towards a bachelor's degree. She has already gained practical experience and regularly writes scientific papers during her studies. For these reasons, Lisa is a perfect fit as a BachelorPrint employee. In this role, she emphasizes the importance of high-quality content and wants to help students navigate their stressful lives. Being a student herself, she knows what matters and what is important.

Show all articles from this author

New articles