Quantitative Research: Validity and Reliability Issues
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Questions and Answers

What is the purpose of assigning numbers to represent the amount of an attribute in measurement?

  • To enhance subjective interpretations of data
  • To create complex mathematical models
  • To represent the amount of an attribute using specific rules (correct)
  • To eliminate the need for data analysis

    • Which of the following is NOT an advantage of measurement?

  • Removes guesswork
  • Provides subjective information (correct)
  • Obtains more precise information
  • Facilitates communication and analysis

    • What does the equation 'Obtained score = True score ± Error' represent?

  • The difference between experimental and control groups
  • The calculation of measurement error (correct)
  • The total data value collected from all participants
  • The relationship between subjective views and objective data

    • Which type of error is related to external conditions affecting measurement?

    <p>Extraneous factors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does measurement provide a language for communication?

    <p>By ensuring uniformity in data interpretation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of measurement error occurs when external factors distort the results?

    <p>Distortion from extraneous factors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements correctly reflects the reliability of a measurement?

    <p>Reliability involves obtaining consistent results across multiple trials</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best defines validity in measurement?

    <p>The extent to which a measurement accurately reflects the concept it intends to measure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of reliability in data measurement?

    <p>The consistency of measurements over time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor is commonly associated with introducing errors in measurement?

    <p>Participants' mental and physical state</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of validity ensures that the measurement accurately reflects the concept it intends to measure?

    <p>Construct validity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a crucial strategy to reduce measurement error during data collection?

    <p>Interviewers ensuring participants are in usual moods</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can the validity of a measuring instrument be assessed?

    <p>By comparing it to other established instruments</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is considered an extraneous factor that might affect measurement outcomes?

    <p>Time constraints during assessments</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it important to ensure that data measurement is both reliable and valid?

    <p>To gain trust in the findings and recommendations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does anonymity of questionnaire responses play in reducing measurement error?

    <p>It reduces participant bias and influences</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is social desirability bias in self-reports?

    <p>The inclination to present oneself in a favorable light.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best defines acquiescence response?

    <p>A tendency to agree or disagree consistently regardless of content.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following factors can influence a person's test score temporarily?

    <p>Personal states like fatigue and mood.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of measurement error is linked to the pressure to respond in a socially acceptable manner?

    <p>Response-set bias.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Extreme response bias is best described as:

    <p>A tendency to select only the most extreme options available.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which aspect is not typically associated with response-set biases?

    <p>Random fluctuations in answers due to fatigue.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of measurement error, which condition could directly affect pulse rate measurements?

    <p>Anxiety experienced by the individual at the time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is not a type of response-set bias?

    <p>Contextual reliability.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Week 6: Quantitative Research (3) - Issues of Validity and Reliability of Instruments

    • Quantitative research uses various methods to collect data
    • Key data collection methods include:
      • Self-report: Participants answer questions (e.g., questionnaires)
      • Observation: Direct observation of behavior through visual, auditory, tactile, and other senses
      • Bio-physiologic measures: Assess clinical variables (e.g., blood pressure, body temperature, blood glucose)

    Data Quality

    • Validity is the degree to which a measure measures what it's supposed to measure.
    • Reliability measures how consistently a measure yields the same results under similar conditions.
    • Data measurement must be both valid and reliable to provide trustworthy answers.

    Measurement

    • Definition: Assigning numbers to represent amounts of a specific attribute using specific rules.
      • Example given: A questionnaire asking parents about their agreement with teenagers having access to contraceptives in school clinics, using a 6-point scale of agreement.
    • Advantages: Removes guesswork, obtains precise information, provides language for communication and analysis.

    Measurement Error

    • Distortion in measurement related to extraneous factors.
      • Example given: A patient's anxiety level may be affected by a previous family loss.
    • Obtained score = True score ± Error
      • True score: The score that would be measured under ideal/perfect conditions (independent variable)
      • Error: Distortion caused by extraneous factors (extraneous variable)

    Error of Measurement (Cont'd)

    • Sources of error include:
      • Situational contaminants: Conditions under which data is collected affect scores (e.g., researcher's friendliness, location, temperature, lighting, time of day).
        • Example: The anxiety level of a patient in an ICU might be higher than in a meeting room.
      • Response-set biases:
        • Social desirability: Reporting inaccurately on sensitive topics to present oneself in a favorable light.
        • Acquiescence response: Agreeing with all statements regardless of content (e.g., time pressure).
        • Extreme responses: Selecting extreme options almost exclusively.
      • Transitory personal factors: Temporary states like fatigue, hunger, anxiety, or mood can affect scores.

    Learning Outcomes

    • Describe major characteristics of measurement
    • Identify measurement error sources
    • Define validity and reliability
    • Describe dimensions of reliability
    • Discuss methods for reliability and validity evaluation
    • Interpret meaning of reliability and validity information (e.g., results from surveys)

    Reliability

    • Stability: The extent to which scores are similar on two separate administrations of the same measure.
      • Example: A thermometer registering a patient's temperature in two consecutive readings should be relatively stable.
      • Assessed using test-retest reliability, calculated via correlation coefficient. A coefficient close to 1 indicates high stability.
    • Internal consistency (homogeneous): The degree to which all parts of the instrument measure the same trait, assessed using Cronbach's alpha.
      • Example: A depression scale should have each question measuring a similar level of concern for depression.
      • Range: 0.00 – 1.00
      • Desirable Level: 0.70-0.90
    • Equivalence: The degree to which two or more independent observers or coders agree about scoring.
      • Assessed through inter-rater (interobserver) reliability procedure, calculated with methods like Cohen's Kappa (categorical) and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) (continuous).

    Validity

    • Definition: The degree to which an instrument measures what it is supposed to measure.
    • Content validity: The extent to which an instrument contains a representative sample of the content or construct being measured, assessed through expert reviews.
      • Example: A questionnaire measuring pressure sore risk contains questions about general health, incontinence, activity level, to adequately explore the concept.
    • Criterion-related validity: The extent to which an instrument correlates with an external criterion (gold standard) measure.
      • Concurrent Validity: Instrument and criterion measure administered simultaneously.
      • Predictive Validity: Instrument used to predict a future criterion.

    Tips

    • Instrument developers thoroughly evaluate reliability and validity through psychometric assessments
    • When using existing instruments, select ones with demonstrated high reliability and validity
    • Validation is an on-going process and the more evidence supporting the measure's quality, the greater the researchers' confidence in the measure.

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    Week 6 Reliability and Validity PDF

    Description

    This quiz focuses on the key concepts of validity and reliability in quantitative research. It explores various data collection methods, including self-reports and bio-physiologic measures, and emphasizes the importance of both valid and reliable measurement for ensuring data quality. Test your understanding of these fundamental principles in this essential area of research methodology.

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