Reliability

• Reliability


  A measure of consistency, meaning a study or measuring device produces the same result when it's replicated
• Reliability in Psychology


  • Psychological methods of measuring Behavior have to give consistent results whenever they're used
  • Researching behaviors like personality and attachment are vaguer than length or weight
• External reliability


  When the measure used is repeated another time, and the results are consistent with the first results
• Internal reliability


  How consistent the different parts of a measure are with the other parts of that measure
• Assessing internal reliability (split-half method)

  1. Split the measure into two parts

  2. Get participants to complete both parts

  3. Check how strongly the results of each half correlate with the other half
• Assessing external reliability (test-retest)

  1. Get the same participants to do the same study at a different time

  2. Check if they get the same results
• Assessing inter-observer reliability


  1. Create a list of Behavioral categories

  2. Two researchers separately use the same list to observe and record behaviors

  3. Compare their results to see if they're closely matched
• Improving reliability


  • For observations: Train observers, operationalize behavioral categories
  • For interviews: Use structured format, carefully phrase questions
  • For questionnaires: Use closed questions, use established tests
  • For experiments: Use clear standardized procedure, control environmental conditions