ABSTRACT
The methods to assess reliability of variables can vary according to the type of research. Some types of experiments or observational studies are repeated using the same participants to provide information on the reliability of results from one trial to another. The answers provided by each respondent can then be compared for reliability. Researchers usually handle the matter of determining the reliability and validity of the measures they use in one of three ways. First, if they use a measure developed by someone else, they might be able to determine its reliability and validity by reading research reports on it. Second, for new instruments, they may conduct a preliminary study just to determine reliability and validity. Finally, they may design their main study in such a way that the resulting data permit them to estimate reliability and validity while, at the same time, testing their hypotheses.
