Final answer:
Valid measures that agree with other established measures have validity, which means they accurately measure what they are intended to. Reliability alone does not ensure validity, as demonstrated by a consistently inaccurate kitchen scale. Researchers seek measures with both high reliability and validity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Valid measures that correspond well to other known measures are described as having validity. Validity refers to the accuracy of a given result in measuring what it is designed to measure. Reliability, on the other hand, refers to the consistency of a measure, such that a measure is reliable when the same results are produced under the same circumstances.
However, a consistent (reliable) measure does not guarantee that it is accurate (valid). For example, a kitchen scale that consistently gives the wrong weight due to poor calibration is reliable but not valid. Thus, researchers aim to use measures that are both reliable and valid.
Construct validity, ecological validity, and face validity are among the types used to evaluate the correctness of an instrument's measurements. Therefore, in the context of research and measurement, a valid measure is preferred because it not only produces consistent results but also accurately reflects the variable it is intended to measure, which is essential for the credibility of the study's findings.