Doctoral level scholars are always required to use valid and reliable data collection instruments in their research. We help such researchers in finding valid and reliable tools or determining whether the tools they have chosen are valid and reliable.

It is essential to evaluate the quality of research if the study findings will be used in practice and integrated into care delivery. Reliability and validity are fundamental features in the evaluation of data collection tools for effective investigation because they increase transparency and decrease researcher bias. For secondary data, having a detailed assessment of validity and reliability requires an appraisal of the methods that were used to collect the information. The evaluation of methods provides opportunities to interpret scores from psychometric instruments used in research, education, and clinical practice. Additionally, the concepts are important in research because they enhance the accuracy of the appraisal and assessment and evaluation of research work.

Failure to assess the validity and reliability of research makes it difficult to outline the effects of the measurement errors on the theoretical relationships that are being evaluated. Therefore, a researcher may enhance the validity and reliability of the collected data by utilizing different types of methods to gather the information. Reliability focuses on the consistency of scores, while validity measures the data that is related to knowledge. Hence, it is difficult to check for the validity of an instrument than its reliability. Also, an instrument may not be valid if it is not reliable. Therefore, for an instrument to be valid, it needs to be reliable. The essay presents a discussion on the validity and reliability of a data collection tool.

Reliability of a Data Collection Tool

Reliability measures the repeatability, precision, consistency, and stability of research. A reader may determine the probability that the relationship among variables exist when provided with evidence on the reliability of a measure. Homogeneity is evaluated using item-to-total correlation, Kuder-Richardson coefficient, split-half reliability, and Cronbach’s α. Split-half reliability measures internal consistency by assessing one-half of the results of a test against the other, while in Cronbach’s α, the average of the correlations of all combinations of split-haves is determined. For the Kuder-Richardson coefficient, a correlation of 0 to 1, is generated by establishing the average of all possible split-half combinations.

Stability is tested using the test-retest and parallel-form reliability assessment. The test-retest reliability is evaluated by giving the same participants an instrument several times under similar circumstances, with a high correlation between the scores indicating stability. The parallel-form reliability is the extent to which scores of the same group of individuals are stable after the administration of different versions of an assessment tool.  Additionally, equivalence is assessed using inter-rater reliability, which establishes the consistency of scores when different observers record the respondent’s behaviors at the same time using the same instrument.

The Validity of a Data Collection Instrument

A valid instrument accurately measures the concepts under study. Validity establishes if the results obtained have accomplished the requirements of the research methods. The essential parts of validity in research are external and internal. Internal validity outlines the legitimacy of the study results by indicating if the research may be replicated while external credibility shows if the findings of the investigation are transferable to other groups. Authenticity tests include face and content validity.

• Face Validity

Face validity is determined after a test has been constructed. The face validity is a subjective assessment done by the researcher on the relevance and presentation of the measuring instrument. The researcher offers their opinion on whether the items contained in the instrument are clear, relevant, and reasonable by judging if the test looks valid or not on its surface.

• Content Validity

Content validity determines if the instrument adequately covers all possible variables. Literature reviews are used to determine content validity. After conducting the review, an evaluation by expert judges is done. However, experts may be located in different geographical locations as researchers, and this limit conducting validity on a survey instrument.

Obtain premium doctoral level writing services for your data collection tool; we offer help in both questionnaire design for quantitative research and interview protocol or observation protocol for qualitative research. You can join our chat now for a free consultation, or you can check our order page for prices. Partner with us and we will make your doctoral research a success.