Reliability and Validity Two of the most important concepts when it comes to understanding the effectiveness of tests are reliability and validity, which you have learned about in previous courses. Researchers who develop tests must consider both of these when creating an evidence-based assessment.

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Reliability and Validity

Two of the most important concepts when it comes to understanding the effectiveness of tests are reliability and validity, which you have learned about in previous courses. Researchers who develop tests must consider both of these when creating an evidence-based assessment. Plainly speaking, reliability refers to the consistency of a test. To illustrate this, we might think of a scale. Someone would expect a scale to provide them with a similar measurement throughout the day. Similarly, a reliable test will yield similar and consistent results. For example, someone may utilize a Beck Anxiety Inventory to assess levels of anxiety throughout the day, similar to the use of a scale to monitor weight. In this module, you will take a closer look at this concept and learn to differentiate between internal and external reliability.

While reliability refers to consistency of a test, validity refers to the extent that the test is actually measuring what it is meant to test. For example, an IQ test should have questions that measure intelligence. Similar to reliability, there are also two types of validity: internal and external, which you will also learn to differentiate between this week.

In this week’s learning module, you will have the opportunity to discuss reliability and validity in terms of ethical implications. You will also take a short quiz that will allow you to focus in on some of the more important concepts related to validity and reliability. Understanding these concepts is vital to your clinical work. They will help you to understand why someone might choose to use one specific test or assessment over another.