📚 Learning Guide
Operationalizing Variables in Research
hard

In the context of operationalizing variables in sociology, which of the following statements best describes the relationship between independent variables, validity, and reliability?

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Choose the Best Answer

A

An independent variable must be valid but does not need to be reliable.

B

A valid independent variable is always reliable regardless of its measurement method.

C

For an independent variable to be valid, it must also demonstrate reliability in its measurement.

D

Reliability of an independent variable is not important for the validity of research results.

Understanding the Answer

Let's break down why this is correct

Answer

When we talk about operationalizing variables in sociology, we are focusing on how to measure and define the concepts we are studying. An independent variable is something we change or control to see how it affects something else, known as the dependent variable. For our research to be valid, it means that we are truly measuring what we say we are measuring, while reliability means that our measurements are consistent over time. For example, if we are studying how education levels (independent variable) affect income (dependent variable), we need to ensure that our way of measuring education is both valid and reliable. This means that if we ask the same questions about education to different people at different times, we should get similar answers that accurately reflect their education levels.

Detailed Explanation

For an independent variable to be valid, it must be measured consistently. Other options are incorrect because This option suggests that a variable can be valid without being reliable; This statement claims that valid variables are always reliable, but this is not true.

Key Concepts

Independent Variables
Validity
Reliability
Topic

Operationalizing Variables in Research

Difficulty

hard level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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