Unit 7 Seminar - Research Paper Example

Research methods Reliability refers to the ability for an assessment tool to give consistent and stable results. The ability of the research instrument to give approximately the same results anytime it is used is its reliability. For instance, if a test is to measure, say trait of introversion, then it should give constant results every time it is used.Validity refers to the ability of an assessment tool to measure what it is intended to measure and ensure that the outcomes of the test are accurate reflections of all the dimensions that undergo assessment.

Both reliability and validity are very important for achieving good results. While validity helps in determining the types of tests to be used and ensure that researchers make use of methods that are ethical and effective, reliability plays a critical role in psychological tests. Reliability ensures that the test is valuable by maintaining consistency of the outcomes.How to locate appropriate instruments or measurement tools for an effective evaluationBefore locating the most suitable measurement tools, assess what the clients should know very well, can understand and are able to do.

Plan the intent and scope of the assessment by considering the expected experiences after the assessment. Put into consideration how and if the assessment method will determine all the dimensions. Format the assessment instrument to make a clear meaning.Program driftWhen there is a change of program estimates associated with a change in items, then program drift occurs across several administrations. If program values show inconsistency than expected because of measurement errors only, then it cannot be assumed that program values are invariant in testing occasions.

Therefore, this may limit the use of the item and warrant its removal from the bank of items.Presence of program drift is mostly associated with construction of irrelevant variance that affects the performance on the item. Due to this systematic performance shift for a long time, cases of program drift may have negative consequences on an assessment program and may ultimately affect inference validity generated from the test scores. This is a common challenge in research.I think both have the same weight.

This is because they increase accountability in the political realm. These guidelines help in making decision on evaluation methods to use than reducing errors in assessments.ReferencesRoyse, D., Thyer, B., & Padgett, D. (2010). Program Evaluation: An Introduction (5th Ed). Wadsworth: Cengage Learning.