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AEE 578--Scientific Inquiry in Agricultural and Extension Education |
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Validity and Reliability |
Introduction:  |
If you stepped on your
birthroom scale and got a reading of 170, stepped off and then got back
on and weighed 160, stepped off and then got back and weighed 180, you
would conclude that your bathroom scale was not working properly--it is
not reliable. It should consistently yield the same results.
Researchers can have the same problem with their instruments. A poorly
designed instrument might yield one set of results on one day and
different results on another day. There are processes in place
for assessing instrument reliability. This lessons addresses the
concepts of realiability and validity as it relates to research. While
most of the lesson focuses on the validity and reliability of research
instruments, we will also look at internal validity as it relates to
experimental research. |
Learning
Objectives:  |
 Explain
what is meant by the term "validity" as it applies
to the use of instruments in educational research Explain
what is meant by the term "reliability" as it applies
to the use of instruments in educational research Identify and describe
four types of instrument validityIdentify
four techniques for determing instrument reliabilityDescribe
procedures for constucting instruments to enhance
their reliability Discuss
the threats to the internal validity of experimental research.
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| Instructional Activities:  |
Read Chapter 8 "Validity and Reliability" in How
to Design and Evaluate Research in Education (Fraenkel &
Wallen). Watch
this You Tube video on Validity and
Reliability.
If you are a visual
learning a concept
map of reliability and validity measures might be helpful. Read how Dr. Siegle
at the University of Connecticut describes validity
and reliability.
Read how the AllPsych Online web site describes validity
and reliability. Look at the threats
to internal validity of experimental research in this document.
ALSO
check out this PowerPoint on validity
and reliability from Texas Tech. This
can be viewed here
or downloaded
. The PowerPoint
Presentation on Reliability and
Validity
used in class is available for downloading. |
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Review:
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The
publisher of the textbook has some excellent
information to support the text; you should
check it out:
Visit
the
text site and complete the multiple
choice questions for Chapter 8
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Additional
Resources: |
IF
you want to see
more (NOT required):
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Assignments:
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Complete the worksheet on reliability
and validity. |