University of Phoenix Material

Reliability and Validity Matrix

For each of the tests of reliability and validity listed on the matrix, prepare a 50- to 100-word description of the test’s application. Describe what conditions these reliability types would be used for as well as when they would be inappropriate. Then, for each test, prepare a 50- to 100-word description of the strengths and a 50- to 100-word description of the weaknesses.

Test of reliability | Application and appropriateness | Advantages | Disadvantages | Internal consistency | Internal consistency is used to make sure that multiple constructs that are measuring a variable produce identical results. An example of the test would be a questionnaire where the respondent is asked questions about cigarettes and he responds that he does not like cigarettes, has not smoked in the past, and disagrees with the statement “I like smoking cigarettes”. This would show a good internal consistency of the questionnaire. | The advantages of internal consistency reliability are that it makes sure that a test is not redundant and that each part of the test is helping to measure the target variable. | The disadvantages of internal consistency reliability are that it does help in understanding if the target variable is being measured by all the questions, but doesn’t say whether it is being measured accurately. | Split-half | The split half reliability test is a test comprising of two sections. Each section’s scores are compared to test for consistency. It the two scores are consistent, then the two tests are approximately measuring the same variable. The identity of this test is that each section is the exact same. | The advantage of this test is that it makes sure the test is robust in the sense that it is able to measure the same construct regardless of the sample. | | Test or retest