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Accuracy. Validity Reliability
Accuracy. Validity Reliability
The Stage 6 Science (Physics, Chemistry and Biology) syllabus asks students to distinguish between these
terms in both first-hand investigations and when using secondary sources. NB. Students often confuse
these terms.
Validity
To determine if the information you are gathering is valid, you must consider or evaluate the following:
Reliability
To determine if the information you are gathering is reliable, you must consider or evaluate the following:
the author of the articles credentials (i.e. the author is qualified in this area). For example, was the
author a teacher, a scientist in that field etc?
whether the purpose of the article is not resulting in bias
whether the site or publication is reputable, i.e. .gov.edu, biology textbook
whether the data was gathered using an appropriate method and measuring devices
whether it is current (check date)
This means that if your information is current, written by an expert in the area you are investigating,
without bias and is in a reputable publication, then your information could be considered reliable.
Accuracy
To determine if the information you are gathering is accurate, you must consider or evaluate the following:
whether the information can be substantiated in more than one reliable source. (i.e. is the information
consistent with information from other reputable sources?).
This means that if you can find similar information in at least two valid and reliable sources, then your
information could be considered accurate.
Validity
A valid experiment is a fair test. A method is valid if:
it investigates what you think it will investigate (i.e. the procedure actually tests the hypothesis and
the experiment includes an appropriate range of values).
it incorporates suitable equipment (e.g. measuring cylinder to measure volume rather than a
beaker)
variables are controlled
appropriate measuring procedures are included
Reliability
A reliable experiment has results which can be obtained consistently. To ensure that results are reliable:
the experiment must be repeated and consistent results obtained (within an acceptable margin of
error)
Note: Repetition will only determine reliability (it will NOT improve it).
A useful analogy is that of a friend arriving on time for appointments. If they arrive on time once, you cant
say they are reliable or not, but if they arrive late over and over again, then you can say they are unreliable.
Just because you make repeat observations of them arriving doesnt make them reliable.
The relationship between reliability and validity can be confusing. Measurements and other observations
can be reliable without being valid. A faulty measuring device can consistently provide a wrong value
therefore providing reliably incorrect results. However, measurements and observations cannot be valid
unless they are reliable and accurate. (Curriculum Support 2006 Vol. 11 No. 2)
Discussions about reliability must:
Accuracy
Accuracy depends on the design of the experiment (i.e. the validity of the method) and the sensitivity of
the instruments used. Results are accurate if:
they are close to the true value of the quantity being measured
they can be substantiated in secondary sources
Note: Accuracy is important by making the experiment as valid and reliable as possible.
Summary Table
Reliability, Accuracy and Validity
SECONDARY SOURCES
FIRST-HAND INVESTIGATIONS
qualified person
it is on a reputable site, i.e.
.gov .edu
it is current (check date)
it refers to data and statistics
from valid first-hand
investigations
The information in a source is
ACCURATE if
the information can be
substantiated in more than
one reliable source
Further information on evaluating secondary sources can be found at the University of Southern
Queensland Library Website at the following link http://libtute.usq.edu.au/index.php?page=68
A source or
investigation cannot
be valid if it is not
reliable
Evaluate the relevance of the information to your report, and the reliability of each of the sources given.
5 Marks
Sample answer:
The first two articles are relevant because they show a relationship between temperature increase and
plant response. Article 3 has nothing to do with temperature change so is irrelevant.
Information for Article 1 has been sourced from a web blog that is not a reliable source.
Information for Article 2 has been obtained from a published scientific journal and can therefore be
regarded as reliable.
Information for Article 3 has been obtained from a user-modifiable web-based encyclopedia and as such
is not reliable even though there are references from a scientific journal as it is modifiable by numerous
individuals.
References:
Curriculum Support 2006 Vol. 11 No. 2
Curriculum Support, Science, 2001 Vol. 6 No. 3