Measuring outcomes represents a significant part of any project, and this phase must integrate reliable and valid tools throughout the process. The evaluation of the evidence-based projects is essential within any field, because it generates a more exceptional picture, emphasizes the most crucial aspects, and helps to identify the shortcomings of the results. For instance, in qualitative research, reliability and validity is vital f the findings will be “utilized in practice or incorporated into care delivery” (Noble & Smith, 2015, p. 34). In such a way, the tools that researchers use to assess the consistency and trustworthiness of outcomes play an essential role in the effectiveness of the project. In qualitative research, validity refers to the integrity of methods and accurate data reflection, and reliability concerns consistency within analytical procedures (Noble & Smith, 2015). Consequently, specific instruments for qualitative studies should provide high levels of those characteristics to offer reliable information and to avoid potential flaws.
Validity and reliability also occupy a significant place in quantitative research, which implicates the utilization of numerous tools aiming to measure the outcomes accurately. Surveys in different fields can adopt various instruments, and it is critical to ensure that they offer efficient measurement. For instance, one of the studies revealed that a particular questionnaire TyPE generates exceptionally reliable results and possesses good construct validity (Lawrence et al., 2018). Therefore, this tool can be implemented by various researches to which it can be relevant. The insufficiency of reliability and validity can lead to gaps in the findings, which can have a different impact. In some cases, such differences can become beneficial in creating the change, because they might eliminate potential obstacles. Nevertheless, those gaps in the long-run, might significantly change the entire picture, which can lead to problematic issues and deter the study’s findings in general. Thus, utilizing rigid measuring tools to evaluate the outcomes is crucial for the research despite the possibility of gaining better results with the gaps.
References
Lawrence, D. J., Brogan, C., Benjamin, L., Pickard, D., & Stewart-Brown, S. (2018). Measuring the effectiveness in reliability and validity of a visual function outcomes instrument in cataract surgery. Scientific Journal of Biometrics & Biostatistics, 1(1), 1-4. Web.
Noble, H., & Smith, J. (2015). Issues of validity and reliability in qualitative research. Evidence-Based Nursing, 18(2), 34-35.