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

24155 Views

See similar Psychology A Level tutors

Related Psychology A Level answers

All answers ▸

How do I boost my marks in the longer answer questions?


John is in his twenties and has a phobia of animals ever since he was bitten by a dog in his teenage years. Seeing pets causes John extreme anxiety and he goes out his way to avoid contact with animals. How might Behaviourism explain John's phobia?


Explain the main features of Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome?


Describe Milgram's obedience study


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning