Validity, Reliability Equals Credibility
Teresa McNally
XBCOM/275
08/25/2013
Dr. Murad Abel

Validity, Reliability Equals Credibility
“The volume of your voice does not increase the validity of your argument” (Maraboli, 2010). In order for an assessment to be sound, they must be free of bias and distortion. Reliability and validity are two concepts that are important for defining and measuring bias and distortion. To have the credibility that you deserve you have to have reliability and validity in everything you do. (Kimberline & Winterstein, 2008).
Reliability refers to the extent to which assessments are consistent. Just as we enjoy having reliable cars, we strive to have reliable, consistent instruments to measure student achievements. Another way to look at reliability is the kitchen scale. If at 6 am in the morning set a bag of apples on the scale and it weighed 5 lbs., it will also say it weighs 5 lbs. at 10 am, if you have not changed anything in the bag, that would mean your scale is reliable and it would have credibility. (Kimberline & Winterstein, 2008).
Validity refers to the accuracy of an assessment-whether or not it measures what it is supposed to measure. Even if a test is reliable, it may not provide a valid measure. Let’s imagine a bathroom scale that consistently tells you that you weigh 130 pounds. The reliability (consistency) of this scale is very good, but it is not accurate (valid) because your actual weight is 140 pounds. Since teachers, parents and school districts makes decisions about student’s based on assessments, the validity inferred from the assessments is essential, even more crucial than the reliability. Also, “if the test is valid, it is almost always reliable”. (Kimberline & Winterstein, 2008).
“So, does all this talk about validity and reliability mean you need to conduct statistical analyses on your classroom quizzes? No, it doesn’t. However, you should be aware of the basic tenets of validity and reliability as you construct your classroom assessments”. (Classroom Assessment (Reliability and Validity), 2013). In conclusion validity, reliability equals credibility. Without validity and reliability you will not have credibility.

References
Classroom Assessment (Reliability and Validity). (2013). Retrieved from http://fcit.usf.edu/assessment/basic
Kimberline, C. I., & Winterstein, A. G. (2008, Dec). Validity and reliability of measurement instruments used in research. Retrieved from http://ashpfoundation.org/Main Menu Categories/ResearchResoureCenter
Maraboli, S. (2010). Reflections on Life and Human Experiences. Retrieved from http://www.goordeads.com/quotes