Validity, Reliability, and Q-Methodology

Research Methods
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Research Methods
The concepts of validity and reliability are normally utilized to evaluate the quality of research. Both concepts indicate how best a technique or method is suited in measuring and testing something. According to Middleton (2019), it is essential to consider validity and reliability concepts when creating one's research design, research plan, and drafting of the research results. The two concepts are related but measure different aspects of research.
Validity refers to the level of accuracy that a technique or method provides based on what it is measuring. The higher the validity of measurement or research, the better the results of corresponding properties. Compared to the reliability, the validity of a method is hard to assess. In addition, to obtain the correct results, they need to utilize valid data, and the research should measure the intended variables (Mohajan, 2017). On the other hand, reliability refers to the level of consistency that a method measures something. In the scenario, similar results are achieved multiple times using the same method; the measurement can be categorized as reliable under the same conditions. The high reliability of a measurement is an indicator that it is valid. Moreover, reliability differs from validity in regards to the assessment of the concepts. Reliability is assessed by comparing different designs of the same measurement, while validity is assessed by comparing the results of measurement to other admissible data.
Figure A: Data Comparison
Source (Mohajan, 2017).
Q-methodology is a qualitative research method utilized in social sciences and psychology to study people's subjectivity regarding their viewpoints, perception, or stances on various issues. The research method can be beneficial to a researcher in the following ways; Q- methodology involves direct interaction between the researcher and the participants; thi...