Name: ……………………… Date: …………………….

Reliability, Accuracy & Validity

Data can be obtained by taking measurements and observations. During an experiment,

other factors which could affect the outcome need to be controlled to ensure that the
experiment is reliable, accurate and valid.

#RELIABILITY

Reliability refers to the number of times an experiment has been repeated. The experiment
should be undertaken at least 3 times and an average must be calculated to ensure that
the results are reliable and trustworthy.

e.g. A wet and dry ball were dropped at a height 1.5 metres and the bounce height was
measured and recorded only once each.

Results may not be reliable if the bounce height of a ball is only measured once, due to:

• Errors often occur in measurements due to carelessness

• A minor change in method i.e. how the ball was dropped
• Inaccuracies in reading a scale

Height of bounce (cm) NOTE: The average of these

Trial measurements suggests that a
Wet tennis ball Dry tennis ball
1 47 47 dry tennis ball will bounce
higher than a wet one. If you
2 45 48
recorded only trial 1, a different
3 42 50 and incorrect conclusion would
Average 44.67 48.3 be formed.

#ACCURACY

Accuracy refers to the quality of the measuring apparatus and the skill of the scientists
taking the measurement. If the apparatus is faulty or the scientists make a mistake, the
measurement may be inaccurate.

e.g. A student used a 100mL beaker to measure the volume of an irregular shaped solid by
estimating the reading.

The accuracy of the experiment can be

improved by:

• Using the appropriate equipment to

measure liquids à i.e. Measuring cylinder.

• Reading the meniscus at eye-level using

the method to the right.
Name: ……………………… Date: …………………….
#VALIDITY

Validity refers to how suitable the method is and if all variables are identified and controlled
appropriately to the aim of the experiment.

e.g. Joe undertakes an experiment to measure the time taken for Shawn to walk various
distances using a stopwatch. He repeats the experiment 2 times following the experimental
method each time and keeping the variables constant.

• The experiment is reliable as it has been completed a total of 3 times.

• The experiment is valid as the student follows the method each time and all variables are
controlled.
e.g. the independent variable does not change throughout experiment.
• The experiment is accurate as the student uses a stopwatch rather than counting in his
head.

Activity: Reliability, Accuracy & Validity

TASK: Determine the reliability, accuracy and validity for each scenario (Yes/No/NA). Then
state what could be done to increase the accuracy and reliability of the experiment.

1. Sam counts in his head and repeats the experiment 5 times.

Accurate? …………. Reliable? …………. Valid? ………….

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2. Samantha and Mary take turns using their hands to measure the length of the
laboratory bench, each only once.

Accurate? …………. Reliable? …………. Valid? ………….

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3. Oscar completed an experiment 5 times to measure the time taken for a pendulum to
complete 10 swings with varying lengths. Oscar used a stopwatch for the first half of the
experiment but counted in his head for the remaining trials. He also decided to change
the mass of the pendulum to observe its affect in the fourth trial.

Accurate? …………. Reliable? …………. Valid? ………….

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