Open Access Article

Validity and Reliability in Social Science Research

by Ellen A. Drost

California State University, Los Angeles

Published in: Education Research and Perspectives, Volume 38, Issue 1, 2011, Pages 105-123;
DOI: 10.70953/ERPv38.11005

Abstract

Concepts of reliability and validity in social science research are introduced and major methods to assess reliability and validity reviewed with examples from the literature. The thrust of the paper is to provide novice researchers with an understanding of the general problem of validity in social science research and to acquaint them with approaches to developing strong support for the validity of their research.