The quality of the research data depends on the reliability and validity of the instruments used to collect information. Bernard (2000) defines validity as the “accuracy and trustworthiness of instruments, data, and findings in research” (p.46). He maintains that if the questions that are used to get data from people are not valid instruments, then the collected data is also not valid. In turn, reliability is “whether or not you get the same answer by using an instrument to measure something more than once” (Bernard, 2000, p.47). For example, a thermometer is a reliable instrument because it would present the same temperatures every time it is used to assess someone who is experiencing high fever.
Since the validity and reliability of collected data is dependent on the results of the instruments used in quantitative research, then, it is important to ensure the validity and reliability of such instruments. Quantitative studies rely on numbers to be able to generalize results of studies to the wider population. The instrument should not be flawed because errors in data collection translate to errors in one’s findings.
The researcher’s credibility is always in the line whenever he/she conducts research and uses the tools of the discipline. There are already standards in collecting research data through quantitative means, such as through survey questionnaires and experiments, thus one has to follow such procedures to produce reliable and valid results. For example, there are established criteria of how many respondents should comprise a sample in a population with a particular number. Administering questionnaires likewise need to be in a uniform way to prevent biases and other errors. If one does not ensure the reliability and validity of his/her instruments, then the study would be flawed and his/her research capacity would be doubted in the academic field.
References
Bernard, H.R. (2000). Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. London: Sage Publications, Inc.
