Reliability

• Reliability means that the results are consistent and repeatable. If it were to be repeated, it would produce the same results.
• Positivists argue that reliability is higher for quantitative data

  • More structure makes it easy to repeat
  • Clear operationalising of key concepts means the person repeating can use the same definitions and indicators
  • Produce standardised data in statistical form that 'speak for themselves'
• Interpretivist methodology is criticised for a lack of reliabity

  • Lack of structure such as preset questions or observation schedules
  • Produces data that needs interpretation; different researchers may come to different conclusions
  • Hard to replicate lengthy observations