In order to establish the validity and reliability of an assessment tool, you need to

know the different ways of establishing test validity and reliability.

What is TEST RELIABILITY?

RELIABILITY is the consistency of the responses to measure under three
conditions:
1. When retested on the same person
 Consistent response is expected when the test is given to the same
participants
2. When retested on the same measure
 Reliability is attained if the responses to the same test is consistent with the
same test or its equivalent or another test that measures but measures the
same characteristic when administered at a different time.
3. Similarity of responses across items that measure the same characteristic.
 There is reliability when the person responded in the same way or
consistently across items that measure the same characteristic.

DIFFERENT FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE RELIABILITY OF A MEASURE

(The reliability of a measure can be high or low, depending on the following
factors)
1. The number of items in a test – the more items a test has, the likelihood of
reliability is high. The probability of obtaining consistent scores is high
because of the large pool of items.
2. Individual differences of participants – every participant possesses
characteristics that affect their performance in a test, such as fatigue
concentration, innate ability, perseverance, and motivation. These
individual factors change over time and affect the consistency of the answer
in a test.
3. External environment – the external environment may include room
temperature, noise level, depth of instruction, exposure to materials, and
quality of instruction, which could affect changes in the responses of
examinees in a test.
 WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT WAYS TO ESTABLISH TEST RELIABILITY?
 There are different ways in determining the reliability of a test. The specific
kind of reliability will depend on the:
1. Variable you are measuring
2. Type of test
3. Number of versions of the test

The different types of reliability

Note: Take note that STATISTICAL ANALYSIS is needed to determine the test
reliability.

Method in Testing How is this reliability What statistics is used?

Reliability done?
1. Test-retest
2. Parallel Forms
3. Split-Half
4. Test of Internal
Consistency Using
Kuder-Richardson
and Cronbach’s
Alpha Method

You will notice in the table that statistical analysis is required to determine the
reliability of a measure. The very basis of statistical analysis to determine
reliability is the use of linear regression.