Q3: Discuss validity and reliability in quantitative research.
Validity in research relates to how trustworthy the information is as presented by the researcher (McGregor, 2018). It is crucial to be critical of research in order to expose its flaws so that the forward progression of information can take place and future research can utilize the information with confidence. According to McGregor (2018), there are four main types of validity to take into consideration: internal validity, external validity, logical validity, and internal consistency. Each one carries a portion of the whole truthfulness of the study and should be considered by the researcher at every step in the process. Reliability relates to the ability of others to replicate the research given the same design and produce similar results (McGregor, 2018). The method must be reproducible and appropriate information must be provided so that others can successfully carry out the research (McGregor, 2018).
Q4: Describe how you will measure all of your variables in your proposal, including survey names and references, as well as how you know they are valid and reliable measures.
I plan to use the Teas (1981) survey instrument, which will be based on a modified Sims et al., (1976) scale to identify phenomena within the domestic palliative care industry. The survey instrument used to collect qualitative data has been validated in previous studies, and the adaptation will not alter the effects of the instrument, only addressing a specific population. This will enhance validity and allow others to reproduce the study, promoting reliability.
References
McGregor, S. (2018). Understanding and evaluating research: A critical guide. Sage Publications.
Pyrczak, F., & Tcherni-Buzzeo, M. (2019). Evaluating research in Academic journals: A practical guide to realistic evaluation. Routledge.
Sims, Henry P., Jr., Andrew D. Szilagyi, and Dale R. McKemey (1976), “Antecedents of Work-Related expectancies,” Academy of Management Journal, 19 (December), 547-59.
Teas, R. K. (1981). An empirical test of models of salespersons’ job expectancy and instrumentality perceptions. Journal of Marketing Research, 18(2), 209-226.
Q2: Research questions are what the researcher is trying to answer through the research. Interview questions are very similar to research questions, but these questions are used more in the qualitative study in focus groups. The questions can be open ended and is answered by the group participating in the study.
Q3: Heale and Twycross (2015) provided a scenario in their article that help me understand the difference between validity and reliability. In this scenario of using an alarm clock, an alarm set every day at 6:30 am, but the alarms goes off at 7 am each day is considered reliable. The alarm is considered reliable because is performs the same results every day when the alarms sounds at 7 am. It is reliable because the result of the alarm going off at the same time is consistent, the same day every day. Reliability and consistency works together. If the date is consistent then it is reliable. Validity is how accurate the study is. The alarm clock is no accurate because it is going off 30 minutes later than what the alarm was set for.
Q4: I am still conducting additional research. I am looking at studies through Google Scholar where the data has been validated and well as looking for the quantitative data with a reference to Chronbacks Alpha. Over the next few days, I am going back through my research in order to tighten up my Quantitative proposal, and making sure my sources line up with the research and I have done.
Reference:
Pyrczak, F., & Tcherni-Buzzeo, M. (2019). Evaluating research in Academic journals: A practical guide to realistic evaluation. Routledge.
Creswell, J. (2005). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research. Prentiss Hall. pp.136-141
Heale, R. and Twycross, A. (2015) Validity and reliability in quantitative studies. Evid Based Nurs. July 2015. 18; 3
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