Validity and Reliability
Diagram of Validity and ReliabilityValidity and reliability are two core key concepts, which are often mixed up, but very important to understand when creating a successful, fair scientific experiment.
Validity is a term, which relates to accuracy. How valid the result of an experiment is, relates to how accurately it reflects real-life scenarios, and how ‘correct’ and ‘right’ it is. In essence, it is the applicability and veridicality of the conclusion in the Universe outside of the scientific investigation and laboratory conditions. Accuracy and validity are concerned with how ‘true’ measurements are.
Reliability, on the other hand, is a term which relates to precision. It is the ability to consistently, reproduce identical results, under identical conditions. In other words, it is the repeatability of an experiment, and the chances that an identical experiment will end up with similar/the same results.
For the results of this experiment, to be considered accurate or valid, the measurements and results observed have to accurately reflect a similar real-life scenario; that a darker shade should absorb heat at a faster rate. On the other hand, a reliable experiment would show results similar if someone were to repeat the experiment with a similar method.
Validity is a term, which relates to accuracy. How valid the result of an experiment is, relates to how accurately it reflects real-life scenarios, and how ‘correct’ and ‘right’ it is. In essence, it is the applicability and veridicality of the conclusion in the Universe outside of the scientific investigation and laboratory conditions. Accuracy and validity are concerned with how ‘true’ measurements are.
Reliability, on the other hand, is a term which relates to precision. It is the ability to consistently, reproduce identical results, under identical conditions. In other words, it is the repeatability of an experiment, and the chances that an identical experiment will end up with similar/the same results.
For the results of this experiment, to be considered accurate or valid, the measurements and results observed have to accurately reflect a similar real-life scenario; that a darker shade should absorb heat at a faster rate. On the other hand, a reliable experiment would show results similar if someone were to repeat the experiment with a similar method.
How Validity Was Ensured
One of the most important things in ensuring that the results are accurate is to make sure that the method of the experiment, correlates to the hypothesis, and if followed correctly, would accurately show results, relating to the hypothesis.
Another important component of ensuring validity was to make sure of the use of experimental controls, as mentioned above in more detail, to create a ‘starting point’ or ‘original value’ to contrast and compare to.
Ensuring the accuracy of all tools and equipment was also very important, to minimise measurement errors, and produce valid values. Finally, controlled variables had to be kept consistent and unchanging throughout all parts of the experiment, to prevent the risk of external factors interfering with the desired outcome and compromising the validity of the entire experiment.
Another important component of ensuring validity was to make sure of the use of experimental controls, as mentioned above in more detail, to create a ‘starting point’ or ‘original value’ to contrast and compare to.
Ensuring the accuracy of all tools and equipment was also very important, to minimise measurement errors, and produce valid values. Finally, controlled variables had to be kept consistent and unchanging throughout all parts of the experiment, to prevent the risk of external factors interfering with the desired outcome and compromising the validity of the entire experiment.
How Reliability Was Ensured
Reliability was able to be ensured throughout the investigation in various ways. Similarly to the validity of the experiment, it was important to completely eliminate inconsistencies in any of the controlled variables to ensure that the experiment would be done in identical conditions as another future, replicate experiment, trying to follow the same method.
The method also needed to be carefully read, so misinterpretation was not a problem. The experiment was conducted and results were observed and recorded over three different trials in the investigation. The results of each investigation were added up and averaged out, to create the most undistinguished result, potentially out-ruling any chances of outlier results.
The method also needed to be carefully read, so misinterpretation was not a problem. The experiment was conducted and results were observed and recorded over three different trials in the investigation. The results of each investigation were added up and averaged out, to create the most undistinguished result, potentially out-ruling any chances of outlier results.