Nature/Nutare

QUESTION 2

2. Reliability and validity are the keys to scientifically sound research. Discuss this statement by referring to the following research methods: Systematic observation, self-reports (interviews and questionnaires), psychophysiological methods, the clinical or case study method, and ethnography (methods of studying culture).

Antwoord 1

Question 2

Research

All research methods must provide trustworthy information. Reliability and validity are keys to scientifically sound research. Reliability refers to the consistency, or repeatability, of measures of behaviour (Berk, 2006, p.51). The research method used will determine how the reliability of data is determined. If the method is not reliable, there is no validity. In order to have validity the research method must accurately measure the characteristics that the researcher set out to measure. Once we have validity we are therefore able to predict the results of related constructs.

There are two types of systematic observation, namely naturalistic observation and structured observation. Naturalistic observation entails either going into the field or natural environment to record the behaviour. This allows investigators to see directly the everyday behaviours they hope to explain. Unfortunately, not all children have the same opportunity to display the particular behaviour that the researcher is interested in. In systematic observation the investigator sets up a laboratory situation that evokes the behaviour of interest, so every participant has an equal opportunity to display the response. Now we cannot be sure whether each individual will behave as he would in his natural environment. Berk (2006) stated that children from age 7, right through to adults may behave in unnatural ways, due to the presence of an observer. Due to observer influence, subjects will be at their best behaviour. The right behaviour will be measured, but the results will not be reliable as not a true reflection. Also,...