Unit 4: Reporting and using the data
Unit 4: Reporting and using data
Objectives:
5.0: Participants will be able to define validity and discuss the validity of their data in a written discussion board.
5.1: Participants will be able to define reliability and discuss the reliability of their data in a written discussion board.
6.0: Participants will describe how they have addressed the issues if validity and reliability in their plan; in a written discussion board.
Overview: We will continue to look at and collect data. We will also talk about validity, reliability, and generalizability. Finally, you will examine your data and identify the findings and make recommendations.
Action research involves planning, acting, observing, and reflecting!
Please continue to collect and organize your data.
Validity & Reliability
It is important to have a basic understanding of validity when collecting and analyzing any type of data.
The following site gives a good introduction to this topic: Introduction to Validity
Essentially validity is the extent to which a concept or a conclusion is justifiable and relates to the real world.
As for reliability, Mills says that "In everyday English, reliability means dependability or trustworthiness. The term means essentially the same thing with respect to measurement."
Please watch the video Key Ideas in Validity and Reliability for Teachers
In the discussion board, please answer the following questions:
1. Describe validity and reliability in your own words.
2. How do you determine the reliability of a test?
3. What does "test-retest" mean? Will you use it very often? Why?
4. What is "alternate forms" reliability? Is this used frequently?
5. What is "split-half" reliability?
A test may be reliable, but still may not be valid. However, if a test is valid, it will be reliable!
Please continue collect data and, in the discussion board, describe how you have addressed the issues if validity and reliability in your plan.
Data Analysis & Interpretation
Now that you have your data, you need to interpret it! You will find that you need to summarize your data and share it, without simply giving a bunch of numbers and papers. This part of the plan is tough because how you analyze your data will depend on how you collected it.
For example, if you collected data by means of observations, interviews, questionnaires, pictures, or nunnumerical data you will not be able to use numbers to create a summary. You will have to rely on qualitative data organization and analysis.
This, according to Mills, involves:
1. Becoming familiar with the data and identifying potential themes.
2. Examining the data in depth to provide detailed descriptions of the setting, participants, and activity.
3. Catgorizing and coding pieces of data and grouping them into themes.
For more information, please read the following overview: Tips for Analyzing Qualitative Data
For those of you who used quantitative research, here is a great resource for you to study: Analysis of quantitative data
Unit 5: Creating a plan of action
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