testing the validity and reliability of research instruments

In such cases, CNSs should engage key stakeholders to sponsor nursing researchers to pursue this most important work. Clinical nurse specialists may find themselves in situations where reliability and validity estimates for some instruments that are being utilized are unknown. Psychologists consider three types of consistency: over time (test-retest reliability), across items (internal consistency), and across different researchers (. All CNSs should be advocating for the use of reliable instruments that produce valid results. Many instrument developers may conduct reliability testing only once, yet continue validity testing in different populations over many years. For example, if a specific group does not understand certain well-constructed items, then the instrument does not produce valid scores when used with that group. We recall that validity is expressed by the degree to which a particular tool measures what it is supposed to measure rather than a different phenomenon. The paper outlines different types of reliability and validity and significance in. Summary: The process of developing and validating an instrument is in large part focused on reducing error in the measurement process. Measuring instruments used in quantitative research. This paper clearly explains the concepts of reliability and validity as used in educational research. An instrument may be architecturally sound overall (reliable), but the same instrument may not be valid. Assessing the Validity of a Measuring Instrument 3.1.

Reliability estimates explain more about how well the instrument is designed, whereas validity estimates explain more about scores that are produced by the instrument. Psychometric testing uses specific research methods to evaluate the amount of error associated with any particular instrument. Validity is about what an instrument measures and how well it does so, whereas reliability concerns the truthfulness in the data obtained and the degree to which any measuring tool controls random error. It is important for CNSs and other APNs to consider the reliability and validity of instruments chosen for clinical practice, evidence-based practice projects, or research studies.

Testing the validity and reliability of research instruments