What is the difference between reliability and validity?

Reliability is about whether the same result would be found if the experiment was repeated. An experiment must be replicable if it is to be reliable. One way to remember this is 'reliability requires replicability'.

On the other hand. validity is about whether the experiment is measuring what it says it is measuring. You can have a test that is very reliable, which suggests good things about the experiment, but the test may not actually have validity - it may be testing a completely different pattern/relationship. 

PH
Answered by Phoebe H. Psychology tutor

21627 Views

See similar Psychology A Level tutors

Related Psychology A Level answers

All answers ▸

How effective is psychodynamic therapy in treating schizophrenia? (Emphasis on evaluating rather than outlining)


What does Milgram's (1963) research show?


What considerations are required when choosing a statistical test for a dataset?


Suggest 2 evaluation points for Milgrams original obedience study.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences