

On a parting note, a good understanding of the concepts of internal, external, and ecological validity is necessary to properly design and conduct studies and to evaluate the merits and applications of published research.

How much less ecological validity, then, would research in animal models of different neuropsychiatric states have for patients in clinical practice? This explains why drugs that work in animal models often fail in humans. In fact, these cognitive and psychomotor tests, especially when based on computerized tasks, have no parallel in everyday life. Thus, laboratory studies of the neuropsychological and psychomotor impairments produced by psychotropic drugs have poor ecological validity because what is studied in relaxed, rested, and healthy subjects tested in a controlled environment is very different from demands that stressed patients face in everyday life. The more complex the situation in terms of the range of potential variables that need to be controlled and the difficulty in controlling these variables, the less certain it can be that one test will deliver a valid and reliable answer.Ecological validity was originally invoked in the context of laboratory studies that required to be generalized to real-life situations. It is possible to highlight the difficulties involved in such decisions when you think about the difficulty in establishing the link between smoking and lung cancer, and the link between mesothelioma and asbestos dust. It is easier to be confident of your conclusion in any investigation when there are limited variables involved and where these variables are controlled. However, measurement and observations cannot be valid unless they are reliable and accurate. validity as criteria for evaluating the quality of measurement. Validity Understanding the Differences 08.09.22 Reliability & Validity Time to read: 5min How do you like this article 0 Reviews Researchers use reliability vs. A faulty measuring device can consistently provide a wrong value therefore providing reliably incorrect results. Validity Understanding the Differences Reliability vs.

Measurements and other observations can be reliable without being valid. The relationship between reliability and validity can be confusing. Validity relates to whether the measurements you are taking are caused by the phenomena you are interested in. It is important that we encourage students to predict expected results and even predict ranges of data. Where data is collected, quantified or evaluated, reliability refers to the ability of the data gathering process to provide results that are consistent and within expected ranges. The need for accuracy of data should influence the choice of equipment for conducting first-hand investigations. In the context of students planning first-hand investigations, issues relating to accuracy, reliability and validity will impact on the choice of the measuring device and how confident you are about the conclusions drawn from the results of the investigation.
