Arguably, the truthful and accuracy of quantitative research findings and conclusion starts from the data collection process. Thus, data collection tool chosen for the exercise has to be appropriate and correct. This will help a researcher to collect right data and report correct findings which will reflect the truthfulness of a specific phenomenon under investigation (Heale & Twycross, 2015). As such, it is important to assess how the tool was prepared and organized before being used to collecting data. This knowledge will help a researcher to judge whether the instrument chosen is valid and reliable to give satisfactory data that is correct, updated, and unbiased (Heale & Twycross, 2015). Therefore, a researcher or a nurse has to be aware of this information in regards to the collecting instruments of a quantitative study to gauge the applicability of research findings in a real life situation and the risk of using the collected data to make an informed decision concerning a particular case or a nursing practice.
In order for a tool be reliable, the results it generates have to be consistent and repeatedly in a similar environment over time (Heale & Twycross, 2015). Conflicting reports in same conditions is an indication that the instrument cannot be depended upon to collect correct data since initial results cannot be reproduced. As such, a tool has to yield same results every time it is used to pass reliability test (Ary et al., 2013). Thus, it will be impossible to defend a particular theory or idea in relation to a particular study if results are not consistent. On the other hand, validity looks at how the instrument can remain objective, collect facts and truth of a particular issue. As such, for an instrument to be termed valid, the data has to be accurate and measurable (Heale & Twycross, 2015). Any chance of errors decreases the degree of at which a tool can be said to be valid. Thus, a tool has to measure accurately what it was designed to measure (Ary et al., 2013). Thus, this information will help a person/nurse to know how accurate a particular sample represent a whole population under study and the worthiness of the data.
Reference
Ary, D., Jacobs, L. C., Sorensen, C. K., & Walker, D. (2013). Introduction to research in education. Cengage Learning.
Heale, R., & Twycross, A. (2015). Validity and reliability in quantitative studies.Evidence Based Nursing, 18(3), 66-67.
