In the book Research Methods for the Behavioural Sciences reliability is defined as a measurement procedure that has stable results or the consistency of the measurement. So why is reliability important? Well to state the obvious because it is ‘reliable’.
Reliability occurs when an experiment or research investigation is carried out repeatedly under the same conditions and with the same variables, and the results of the data are the same or nearly the same as previous experiments. Although all research may have error to some extent, for example because of participants not completing the task or doing it correctly, but the amount of error establishes the amount of reliability. If the amount of error is high then the reliability is low, if error is low then the reliability of the research is high.
This is obviously important because say we carried out a research experiment 100 times and every time the results came back completely different, this would tell us either there is a problem with the research or that it disproves our hypothesis and the research is not sufficient evidence to suggest our hypothesis is correct, concluding that the reliability is low. However, if we carried out an experiment 100 times and the results came back the same every time then it would show that our hypothesis and research is reliable and can therefore be used as scientific evidence.
Although the methods of testing reliability can only give a close estimate of the amount of error and reliability there is within data, there are several ways to test for reliability, for example:
- Test-retest reliability: Each time the test is carried out the results are the same.
- Inter-rater reliability: Independent judges (two or more) score the test or experiment, the data is then compared to find out how consistent they were with the raters estimates.
- Parallel- forms reliability: This compares two different experiments that used the same content.
- Internal consistency reliability: This measures the consistency of data within the same experiment.
So, without reliability within our experiments and without these methods of testing reliability we could not determine whether any research carried out was actually evidence to suggest hypothesis of experiments have been found significant. This is because with different results of data for research we could not find correlations and trends and patterns in our work to suggest that are findings are scientific evidence and as psychologists could therefore not be able to find out more from the statistics and research.
While writing for your research paper, you need to first clarify the objective of your research problem that is crucial for the proposal. The research proposal is where you briefly explain and present a clear summary of your proposed research. With the help of this proposal, the researcher justifies the need for a research problem and presents the key questions or issues that need to be addressed.
It is important to state authentic and reliable data in your research proposal. And for doing this, you need to perform research carefully. If your research is not reliable, then the end product would be unstable, and you’ll have to face the consequences for the same.
Importance of reliability in research proposal
Reliability is something significant that needs to be deliberated throughout the data assemblage process. It helps ensure that the result is stable, precise and reproducible. The two most important things that you need to consider to ensure reliability in your research proposal are-
- Reliable application of methods
While performing research, you must carry out similar steps in the same way for each of its dimensions. In other words, we can say that you need to make sure that all the things are organized in the same and perfect manner. However, reliability is crucial in every research proposal.
At times, exterior factors might create dissimilarity in the end product. So, while collecting information, make sure that you keep the conditions as reliable as possible.
Types of reliability
While applying reliability to a wide range of activities, it should be kept as a prominent factor that can help proficiently craft your research proposal. The four major types of reliability are-
Equivalency reliability
Under this type, two objects measure the same concepts that too at an equivalent stage of difficulty. Further, it is used to highlight the certain degree of association between the two, which is determined by linking the test scores of certain disciplines. In a research proposal, especially the one undertaken for experimental and quantitative studies, a correspondent coefficient (statistically denoted as ‘r’) is used to demonstrate the correlation between an independent variable and a dependent variable. These are further operated to conclude effects on the dependent variable.
Stability reliability
Stability reliability, also known as re-test reliability, is the agreement under which we assess executions over time. The test or measurement is recapped on the same matters at a future date that can help determine stability in the given research proposal. Thus, we can say that outcomes are connected and coordinated with a primary test to guarantee stability.
Internal consistency reliability
Under this type of reliability, procedures or tests further evaluate the identical skill, quality or characteristic. Further, we can say that it measures the accuracy level between the measuring instruments or the bystanders used in a study. Internal consistency reliability helps the researcher calculate the value of scores, limit the correlations and interpret data amongst variables.
Interrater reliability
When it comes to interrater reliability, we can simply define it as the type where two or more entities agree. Further, it addresses the steadiness of the applied evaluation system.
So, this was all about the significance of reliability in a research proposal and some of its major types of writing. Apart from this, if you want to make your research proposal more reliable, then you can take help from our online assignment writing experts.
Reliability refers to the consistency of the results in research. Therefore, in order for research to be considered reliable it should produce the same (or similar) results if repeated. There are several ways of testing the reliability of psychological research. But, why is reliability important?
Reliability is highly important for psychological research. This is because it tests if the study fulfills its predicted aims and hypothesis and also ensures that the results are due to the study and not any possible extraneous variables. If a study is reliable it can have positive implications for other areas of psychology and could be used to improve/aid issues. For example, Ainsworth and Bell’s study on child attachments, ‘the strange situation’, was a reliable study because it received consistent results when re-conducted (children of certain attachments types were found to act in a way predicted of that attachment type). This allowed the study to be used to develop further research in this field. Also, the reliability of this study extends worldwide and has become an accepted methodology worldwide. This shows how reliability can have an impact on the acceptance of a study.
However, not all research is reliable. For example, psychodynamic theories such as the ideas of Sigmund Freud are difficult to test for reliability because they are often case studies and other forms of qualitative data. Therefore, these theories lack reliability. Yet, Freud has been influential in Psychology and his ideas are widely accepted which triggers the question of how important reliability is.
I feel that in certain situations it is difficult to test for reliability. However, where possible it is important to test for reliability as this will improve the standard of the research and determine whether the results could be used to conduct further research. If reliability is misused it can have serious negative consequences. For example, Cyril Burt conducted a study in which he fabricated the results in order to support his theory that intelligence is genetic. Based on his studies the 11+ tests were introduced to school and had an impact on the education policy for many years. Suspicions arose about Burt’s work and it was found that his results were fabricated and therefore unreliable.
So, I feel that reliability is an important aspect of Psychology and Science and if misused it can have serious effects on society as a whole. This means that it is important that people test for reliability when conducting any form of research.