Final answer:
Reliability in research includes test-retest, inter-rater, parallel-forms, and internal consistency. Test-retest reliability can be exemplified by consistent weight measurements from a scale over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are four types of reliability that are considered in research:
- Test-retest reliability: This refers to the consistency of a measure from one time to another. For example, if a person takes the same depression questionnaire on two different occasions, the scores should be similar if the questionnaire is reliable and the person's level of depression has not changed.
- Inter-rater reliability: This assesses the degree to which different raters or observers give consistent estimates of the same phenomenon. For example, different judges scoring the same gymnastics performance should have high agreement in their scores.
- Parallel-forms reliability: This involves comparing different versions of a measure that are supposed to be equivalent. For instance, two forms of a personality test should yield similar results if they are both reliable.
- Internal consistency: This evaluates how well the items on a test measure the same construct. A commonly used statistic for assessing internal consistency is Cronbach's alpha.
An example of test-retest reliability would be using a scale to measure weight. If a person weighs themselves at the same time each day for a week, using the same scale, they would expect to get a very similar reading each time, assuming their actual weight remains unchanged.