Reliability and Validity

Trochim (2007) examines validity and reliability in the context of arriving at measures for constructs that firstly measure what they purport to measure. Secondly, the measures do what they purport to do in a consistent manner so that the researcher can have confidence in the measurement and hence the research project is not compromised. The elements of validity and reliability are pivotal concerns to research. Research thrives in a climate where these are dominant and progressive. Without effective mechanisms to achieve these objectives, the entire research process and the products of research become suspect.

The six types of validity examined by the author are separated into two different components of construct validity. Construct validity is a measure of the success of process of turning constructs into measures. This process identified by the author as operationalization requires that the measures and their underlying construct have a close affinity....
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