Test Validity vs. Test
Reliability:
Whenever a test or
other measuring device is used as part of the data collection process, the
validity and reliability of that test is important. Just as we would not use a math test to
assess verbal skills, we would not want to use a measuring device for research
that was not truly measuring what we purport it to measure. After all, we are relying on the results to
show support or a lack of support for our theory and if the data collection
methods are erroneous, the data we analyze will also be erroneous.