TSL 3123 Tutorial

Prepared by Dorina Wong Ming

Question 2
Reliability and validity are generally important for all
types of evaluation. However, some may argue that
for formative evaluation, more emphasis should be
given for validity and reliability.
Discuss the arguments that can be used to justify
this stand. To what extend o you agree with the
above statement?

Concept of reliability
Reliability refers to the
assessments are consistent.

extent

to

which

For example, if you weigh 200 grams of potatoes

in the morning, and the scale is reliable, the same
scale should register 200 grams for the potatoes
an hour later.
Likewise,
classroom
tests
and
national
standardized exams should not make any
difference
whether
a
student
takes
the
assessment in the morning or afternoon; one day

Concept of validity
Validity refers to the accuracy of an assessment -whether or not it measures what it is supposed to
measure.
Imagine a bathroom scale that consistently tells
you that you weigh 60 kg. The reliability
(consistency) of this scale is very good, but it is
not accurate (valid) because you actually weigh
63 kg
If a test is valid, it is almost always reliable.

Arguments to justify the stands

1. Its focus is on assessing
Valid assessments accurately target specific skills,
strategies, and knowledge.

2. It provides procedural evidence

How were the content requirement, items, and tests
created?

Arguments to justify the stands

3. It provides measurement evidence
Linear factor analysis
Regression analysis (prediction)
Relationship to other measures

4. It should be able to stand court scrutiny.

My opinion
I strongly agree with the stand.
It is my belief that validity is more important than
reliability because if an instrument does not
accurately measure what it is supposed to, there
is no reason to use it even if it measures
consistently (reliably).

Question 3
Define and provide an example of concurrent
validity.

Definition of concurrent validity

Concurrent (as the same time) validity is a type of
Criterion Validity.
If you create some type of test, you want to make sure its
valid: that it measures what it is supposed to measure.
Concurrent validity measures how well a new test
compares to an well-established test. It can also refer to
the practice of concurrently testing two groups at the
same time, or asking two different groups of people to
take the same test.

Example of concurrent validity

Concurrent validity can also occur between two different groups.
For example, lets say a group of nursing students take two final exams
to assess their knowledge.
One exam is a practical test and the second exam is a paper test. If the
students who score well on the practical test also score well on the
paper test, then concurrent validity has occurred.
If, on the other hand, students who score well on the practical test score
poorly on the paper test (and vice versa), then you have a problem with
concurrent validity.
In this particular example, you would question the ability of either test to
assess knowledge.