Observation and Measurement in Human Services Research

Content validity is achieved when the content of the assessment matches the educational objectives. Criterion validity is demonstrated by the ability of the test to relate to external requirements. Construct validity takes into account the educational variables, such as the native language of the students, to predict the test outcomes. Reliable assessments have consistent results; Reliability refers to the consistency of a measure. A test is considered reliable if we get the same result repeatedly.

Validity refers to whether the research conducted is what it intended to be. Validity involves dependability, which means, a valid measure must be reliable. But, reliability doesn’t have to link to validity, a reliable measure is not required to be valid.

However, the researchers in this study could not transfer this reliability estimator to their study because they adapted the original measure. They selected a portion of the items from the English version and used them for the Hmong tasks.

Majid,S.Foo,S.Luyt,B.Ahang,X.Theng,YL.Chang,YK.Mokhtar,IA.(2011) Adopting and evidence-based practice in clinical decision making: nurses’ perceptions, knowledge , and barriers. Journal of the Medical Library Association 99(3) PP229-236.

There were many Black males from the ages 18+ that were taking the information and were easy to communicate with. Based on what my group did the majority of the bags we gave out was to Black males. When it came to testing, I noticed that the majority that got tested were Black women even with incentives being given. This told me that there are many men having sex, but not many who know their status. That being my opinion, and not a fact based on my observation. Based on what I observed women are more likely to get tested and take care of their health than men.

In review of the PowerPoint presentation titled Models of Human Services there are three models presented

Losing funding when running a human service program can be devastating to not only the person running the program but also to those who are taking part of the services that the program provides. To lose the backing from the faith-based funders and have to rely strictly on the funds from the federal government changes the entire concept of how the program can be ran. Losing faith-based funding and going to a government ran program will have an impact not only on the clients that use the program but also the staff members that are there because of the mission, beliefs and vision that the program originally had.

This worker received a phone call from Holly McAdams. Holly and this worker set up a home visit for April 14 1-2pm. Holly spoke about how Gracie was doing well in school. Holly had just left a conference with Gracie's teacher. The teacher could not say anymore wonderful things about Gracie. The teacher and Holly wonder if Gracie really needs the counseling. The teacher was recommending a quite soft teacher for 2nd grade since Gracie was moving schools. Holly registered Gracie that day for the new school. Gracie was getting involved in gymnastics. Gracie wants to get involved in girl scouts. Gracie was having her birthday party in May due to having a summer birthday. Gracie was having a pool party at the wellness center. Gracie was doing good

Quantitative research deals with numbers and is measurable. Some examples of quantitative data are cost, number of participants and time. This type of research is systematic and uses the more traditional scientific method of data collection and presentation. Qualitative research has data that is nonnumeric in nature and it is difficult to measure. As the root of the same suggests, it gives a quality description of the data being viewed. It can include descriptions or verbal responses. Qualitative data is subjective in the sense that the answer can be different amongst various people.

The reliability of an instrument contributes to the level of usability for empirical research (Whiston, 2009). Further, it refers to the replicability andstability of a measurement and whether it will result in the same assessment in the same individuals when repeated (Frankfort-Nachmias & Nachmias, 2008). When determining the reliability of an assessment, a reliability coefficient of at least .80 indicates a trustworthy level of reliability (Trochim, 2006).

In health and social care research tends to accept the methods of social science research because the projects often involve investigating people’s feelings, observations and attitudes, which do not lend themselves to investigation by scientific methodology.

Reliability refers to coherence, stability and dependability in test results, generally using internal consistency to express the levels of reliability in the test. The higher reliability indicates the higher level of accordance, stabilization and dependability in test results. Reliability is the precondition of validity (Guba and Lincoln, 1981). The same findings may not generate if the same research is repeated, because many influencing factors may work in the process of research. The process of establishment in reliability research includes: the research rigorously collect and explain data in consistent investigation (internal checks); the process is transparent (sample design, field work, inquiry and rational data). Patton (1987) suggests that the use of triangulation in multiple approaches can increase the reliability in results.

For Example, Qualitative researchers use conformability, dependability, credibility, and transferability to evaluate the trustworthiness of a qualitative research report. In order to prevent researcher bias they can have other researchers point out

Internal consistency--The application and appropriateness of internal consistency would be viewed as reliability. Internal consistency describes the continuous results provided in any given test. It guarantees that a range of items measure the singular method giving consistent scores. The appropriateness would be to use the re-test method in which the same test is given to be able to compare whether the internal consistency has done its job (Cohen & Swerdlik, 2010). For example a test that could be given is the proficiency test which provides three different parts to the test, but if a person does not pass the test the same test is given again.

Reliability is defined, within psychometric testing, as the stability of a research study or measure(s). Reliability can be examined externally, Inter-rater and Test-Retest, as well as internally; which is seen in internal consistency reliability methods.