Reliability and Validity Essay Example for Free

Reliability and Validity Essay Evaluating human services is a task that can be very complex. People can have different interpretations of the same event. Another concern is that people are not always honest. Therefore, human services will gain from effective, high quality evaluations of data collection methods. This requires that the data collection methods supply accurate and dependable information. This paper will define and describe 2 concepts of measurement known as reliability and validity,-provide examples and supporting facts as to how these concepts apply to data collection in human services, and evaluate the importance of the validity and reliability of data collection methods and instruments. Funding for many non-profit human services organizations are dependent on the precise results of research and statistics gathered through various processes of data collection. Reliability and validity are two criterions that are used to judge the functions of research designs and measurements. These criterions are something that should be looked at before, during, and after research to show the relevance and significance of human services. Using the example of a weight scale is the perfect way to confer the idea of reliability and validity. If an individual of 150lbs. weighs themselves several times and gets several different readings, the scale being used can be considered unreliable. Now if that scale also reads 125 each time, it is rather reliable but invalid. However, the consistent, accurate reading of 150lbs. each time indicates that this scale is not only reliable, but also valid. When thinking about validity, it is important to evaluate if the research is doing what it is supposed to do. According to Rosenthal and Rosnow (2008), â€Å"The measure in question might be a psychological test of some kind, a group of judges who rate things, a functional MRI scanner for monitoring brain activity, or any other instrument or measuring tool†(Chapter 6). Is the data collected dependable? Does the correlation make sense? All of these questions are in reference to the design of the research, and validity is specifically tied to the soundness and force of that design. Conclusion and internal validity refer directly to relationships drawn between correlating factors and the end results. According to Measurement Of Validity Types (2006), â€Å"Conclusion validity is the degree to which conclusions reached about relationships in data are reasonable† (Conclusion Validity). Studies that have shown a link between convicts in the prison system and the lifestyles encountered by children of single parents would be one example of conclusion validity. If the conclusion is valid, a direct link will be made between two correlating factors. Internal validity is specifically concerned with casual relationships while conclusion validity is concerned with relationships in general (Measurement Of Validity Types, 2006). Observing that certain factors may be linked to certain outcomes, and examining all the possible links of an outcome is the main goal of internal validity. Another look at reliability will help in considering the precision of these predictions. Reliability represents the idea of accuracy, dependability, and consistency in research. Can the results be referred to as concrete? Are there any loopholes in the research? Has the research communicated the proper information and does everything correlate? These are questions that would be directed at examining the reliability of research. Test-Retest and Inter-rater reliability are two ways to measure the results of research. When multiple people are given assessments of some kind or are the subjects of some test, then similar people under the same circumstances should lead to scores that are similar or duplicates (Types Of Reliability, 2011). This is the idea of inter-rater reliability. Another mode of reliability is the administration of the same test among different participants and expecting the same or similar results (Types Of Reliability, 2011). This is known as Test-retest reliability. This method of measurement might be used to make determinations about the effectiveness of a school exam or personality test (Types Of Reliability, 2011). Surveys and other methods of research present the appropriate avenues for data collection. Data collection and measurement methods are used in human services to help organizations achieve leadership capacity and to achieve high performance outcomes. Agencies that track the effectiveness of their services through field studies and surveys will have a record of techniques that have worked best to fulfill mission goals. The evidence of such reported facts will come in handy in terms of funding, policy efforts, and keeping professionals educated. From psychological and behavioral aspects, interviews, test groups, and random assignment are just a few ways to collect data in controlled and uncontrolled environments. Human services use these methods to apply theory to real life situations. Human services depends on the effective analysis and measurements of research. Personal interpretations of measurements can be confusing. Therefore, reliability and validity are two ideas that refer to rating the effectiveness of research techniques. This paper has defined and described the two concepts of measurement known as reliability and validity, provided examples and supporting facts as to how these concepts apply to data collection in human services, and has evaluated the importance of the validity and reliability of data collection methods and instruments. Human services agencies rely on research to remain knowledgeable and capable of providing appropriate services to disadvantaged populations.

Effect of marajuana on college campus :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Marijuana can be found on every college campus in the United States and is the drug of choice coming in right behind alcohol. Harvard School of public health conducted a survey over the last eleven years and found that marijuana use in college has gone from 26.4 % in 1989-1991 to 33.6% in 2000 (http://www.edc.org/hec/pubs/prev-updates/marijuana.html). According to a similar study, the majority of students on college campuses that use marijuana will also participate in other high risk activities. This destructive behavior includes things such as cigarette smoking, binge drinking and sex while intoxicated. Marijuana is so easy to obtain and can be very tempting to experiment with, especially if you have already had a few drinks and your thinking is impaired.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Marijuana prices have a major effect on the amount of use by college students at any given point in time. Although it may be more socially available on college campuses, the price still determines the usage. The fact that marijuana is illegal in the United States helps to keep the price at a seemingly higher level. This artificial price illusion regulates the buying, selling and usage among college students. Compared to alcohol, marijuana is much more accessible, especially on college campuses. Getting alcohol requires an ID or someone with an ID. Getting marijuana only requires someone that supplies the drug. So even though it is illegal, marijuana is seemingly more common.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Since possession of marijuana is illegal, it is not surprising that the consequences can be so debilitating. While attending college with federal financial aid, you run the risk of jeopardizing your federal aid by being charged with a misdemeanor. Possession of marijuana is considered a misdemeanor and if you are charged, the federal government has the right to take away any government aid that you were granted. So not only do you have a record for possession, but more than likely you are going through the judicial system of the college or university and may be suspended or expelled.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Marijuana use can also lead to academic problems. Students that participate in these behaviors have a tendency to spend more time socializing than concentrating on what they should be, their academics. These students spend more time partying than studying which greatly affects their academic performance. Two of the physical effects of marijuana that directly affect academics are difficulty in problem solving and poor memory. Students may become less and less motivated to be involved in campus activities, and also may become decreasingly concerned with their long-term goals and career plans.

Stock Track Report

I. Portfolio Objective: A. Allocation For our portfolio mix, we invested roughly 81% on stocks, 15% on Bonds and 4% on Cash. Our target for the portfolio allocation is that we invested 90% on stocks and 10% on Cash for short term investments. Our goal was investing 80% of our cash for stock market because we know that will get higher return form stock market instead of bonds which is safer to own but bring lower return, and we are young, so we love to take more risk. We also wanted to keep 20% of our money in cash which available for short-term investment.According to the requirements, we ended up spent around 60% on domestic market stock, 10% on international stock market, 10% for short-term stock, 15% on bonds and the rest is in cash which can also bring us interest. As we said above, we are risk takers, so we would have spent all of money for our stock market. Therefore, for this project we think that we followed both active and passive strategy, but we really understand the purpo se of this project which help us to begin investing in stock and bond market and its system. II. Performance Evaluation:Let begin our Stock-Trak performance which the regression result: Stock-Trak ReportBy Khang Nguyen and Tseveendorj Jigmedsanjaa10-08-2012| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | The 13% of the R-square is explained by the The alpha has a negative return and the p-value is greater than 1, so it means it is insignificant. In other words, I have an abnormal return. On the other hand, the beta=1. 58 which was positive and the p-value was less than 1. My annualized geometric return on the portfolio was negative along with the S&P500 returns.Therefore, it is unreasonable to explain the Sharpe and Treynor Ratio. In order to explicate these ratios, your annualized geometric return has to be positive along with the market index. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | As we seen in the table, the R-square is only . 13 which means that only 13% of Y is explained by X which is not good.The standard deviation of the portfolio is higher than the market index, which means that the portfolio was risky comparing to the market index. The alpha has a negative return and the p-value is greater than 1, so it means it is insignificant. In other words, I have an abnormal return. On the other hand, the beta=1. 58 which was positive and the p-value was less than 1. My annualized geometric return on the portfolio was negative along with the S&P500 returns. Therefore, it is unreasonable to explain the Sharpe and Treynor Ratio.In order to explicate these ratios, your annualized geometric return has to be positive along with the market index. III. Discussion On September 13, 2012, the Fed has announced the launch of Quantitative Easing 3. It is a monetary pol icy used by central banks to simulate the economy. Therefore, the Fed is buying $40 billion worth mortgage-backed securities every month until at least mid-2015. The reason is simply because lower interest rates help stimulate the economy and make loans to buy securities on margin cheaper. In other words, the purpose of quantitative easing 3 is to create more jobs.Moreover, we as investors experience that it has an immediate effects on the stock market. Investors in search of yield will have more reason to buy equities and to lend money to companies. Therefore, during September stock market indexes such as Dow Jones Industrial and S&P500 reacted positively by giving a rise in the index. However, my portfolio reaction at that time was not similar to these indexes because during September I have not made a substantial amount of trades except buying corporate bonds and short selling on stocks.As a reason for that, my portfolio returns were poorly comparing to the stock market indexes. On the other hand, I was mainly investing on Apple stocks (AAPL) throughout this 7 week period and after the announcement of the new i-phone 5 on September 12, 2012 along with the quantitative easing 3 announcement, apple was outer performing the stock market indexes. At that time, I had number of Apple shares and the price was increasing due to the positive announcements. Moreover, Apple stock hit all time high which was $702. 10 per share during September.Nonetheless, after few weeks later, I have sold all my Apple stocks because there were some minor defects on the i-phone 5 and the announcement of the new mini i-pad did not show any positive effect on the share price of Apple. I was very up to date on the Apple news because, I have invested substantial amount of money on Apple stock. Furthermore, based on the negative news after i-phone 5, I have sold all of my Apple securities because I predicted the Apple stock is going to go down after these rough news’s. Hence, it wor ked as I have planned and the current Apple stock is roughly $580 which went down by $120 from the all-time high price.Furthermore, as you can see it from the graph of the portfolio, I have a boost in my return on October 22, 2012 and major drop in my return on October 26, 2012. It is because I bought Apple call option and during that time the price was rising, so I had positive returns. The reason why it dropped significantly is because I did not sell my call options before the expiration date. IV. Commentary As a beginner investor, trading on stock market was pretty intimidating and daunting task. It was important for me to learn in a safe, insightful way to avoid unnecessary losses.By far, Stock-Trak was investing internet site that has various types of features and tools. Stock-Trak trading is conducted in much the same way as you would trade through your own brokerage account with a broker that supports trading on the Internet. With the Stock-Trak Portfolio Trading Simulation y ou gain valuable experience trading securities at actual market prices. During the seven week trading period, I have learned that there are various types of investments choices including options, money market mutual funds, commodities, bonds and so forth.Moreover, diversifying portfolio is very crucial to success on trading. It is a way of protecting your assets by reducing or eliminating risk in your portfolio. Constantly evaluating your stocks to assess their risk is important to your overall success. In additional, this graph will show the relationship of our return with the market return: V. Appendices A. End of Day Portfolio values B. Requirement return: Requirement| Position Type| Security Info*| Transaction Dates**| 1| Corporate Bond| Long| UNITED AIRLINES INC – B-UAL-12. 000-01120213| 9/27/2012-10/26/2012| 2| Common Stock | Short| FACEBOOK INC. FB| 9/14/2012-10/11/2012 | 3| Treasury Bond| Long| T-BOND 10. 625% – B-T-10. 625-15082015| 9/28/2012-10/26/2012| 4| Mo ney Market Fund| Long| iShares Dow Jones U. S. Total Market Index FundIVY| 10/5/2012-10/26/2012| 5| Domestic Index Mutual Fund| Long| JPMORGAN VALUE ADV (A) JVAAX| 10/5/2012-10/26/2012| 6| ETF| Long| | | 7| Call Option | Long| Apple Inc. AAPLAAPL1226J635| 10/19/2012-10/26/2012| 8| Put Option | Long| | | 9| Index Futures| Short| S&P500 12/12SP/Z2| 10/25/2012-10/26/2012| 10| Commodity Futures| Long| USDIDX DEC 12 DX/72| 10/25/2012-10/26/2012|

Hu Jintao Former General Secretary of China

Chinas former General Secretary, Hu Jintao, looks like a quiet, kindly sort of technocrat. Under his rule, however, China ruthlessly crushed dissent from Han Chinese and ethnic minorities alike, even as the country continued to grow in economic and political clout on the world stage. Who was the man behind the friendly mask, and what motivated him? Early Life Hu Jintao was born in the city of Jiangyan, central Jiangsu Province, on December 21, 1942. His family belonged to the poor end of the petit bourgeois class. Hus father, Hu Jingzhi, ran a small tea shop in the small town of Taizhou, Jiangsu. His mother died when Hu was only seven years old, and the boy was raised by his aunt. Education An exceptionally bright and diligent student, Hu attended the prestigious Qinghua University in Beijing, where he studied hydroelectric engineering. He is rumored to have a photographic memory, a handy trait for Chinese-style schooling. Hu is said to have enjoyed ballroom dancing, singing, and table tennis in university. A fellow student, Liu Yongqing, became Hus wife; they have a son and a daughter. In 1964, Hu joined the Chinese Communist Party, just as the Cultural Revolution was being born. His official biography doesnt reveal what part, if any, Hu played in the excesses of the next few years. Early Career Hu graduated from Qinghua University in 1965 and went to work in Gansu Province at a hydropower facility. He moved to the Sinohydro Engineering Bureau Number 4 in 1969 and worked in the engineering department there until 1974. Hu remained politically active during this time, working his way up within the hierarchy of the Ministry of Water Conservancy and Power. Disgrace Two years into the Cultural Revolution, in 1968, Hu Jintaos father was arrested for capitalist transgressions. He was publicly tortured in a struggle session, and endured such harsh treatment in prison that he never recovered. The elder Hu died ten years later, in the waning days of the Cultural Revolution. He was only 50 years old. Hu Jintao went home to Taizhou after his fathers death to try to persuade the local revolutionary committee to clear Hu Jingzhis name. He spent more than a months wages on a banquet, but no officials turned up. Reports vary as to whether Hu Jingzhi has ever been exonerated. Entry into Politics In 1974, Hu Jintao became the Secretary of the Construction Department of Gansu. Provincial Governor Song Ping took the young engineer under his wing, and Hu rose to Vice Senior Chief of the Department in just one year. Hu became Deputy Director of the Gansu Ministry of Construction in 1980, and went to Beijing in 1981 along with Deng Xiaopings daughter, Deng Nan, to be trained at the Central Party School. His contacts with Song Ping and the Deng family led to rapid promotions for Hu. The following year, Hu was transferred to Beijing and appointed to the secretariat of the Communist Youth League Central Committee. Rise to Power Hu Jintao became provincial governor of Guizhou in 1985, where he gained party notice for his careful handling of the 1987 student protests. Guizhou is far from the seat of power, a rural province in the south of China, but Hu capitalized on his position while there. In 1988, Hu was promoted once more to Party Chief of the restive Tibet Autonomous Region. He led a political crackdown on the Tibetans in early 1989, which delighted the Central Government in Beijing. Tibetans were less charmed, especially after rumors flew that Hu was implicated in the sudden death of the 51-year-old Panchen Lama that same year. Politburo Membership At the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which met in 1992, Hu Jintaos old mentor Song Ping recommended his protege as a possible future leader of the country. As a result, the 49-year-old Hu was approved as one of seven members of the Politburo Standing Committee. In 1993, Hu was confirmed as heir apparent to Jiang Zemin, with appointments as the leader of the Secretariat of the Central Committee and the Central Party School. Hu became Vice President of China in 1998, and finally Party General Secretary (President) in 2002. Policies as General Secretary As President, Hu Jintao liked to tout his ideas of Harmonious Society and Peaceful Rise. Chinas increased prosperity over the previous 10-15 years had not reached all sectors of society. Hus Harmonious Society model aimed to bring some of the benefits of Chinas success to the rural poor, through more private enterprise, greater personal (but not political) freedom, and a return to some welfare support provided by the state. Under Hu, China expanded its influence overseas in resource-rich developing nations such as Brazil, Congo, and Ethiopia. It has also pressed North Korea to give up its nuclear program. Opposition and Human Rights Abuses Hu Jintao was relatively unknown outside of China before he assumed the Presidency. Many outside observers believed that he, as a member of a newer generation of Chinese leaders, would prove far more moderate than his predecessors. Hu instead showed himself to be a hard-liner in many respects. In 2002, the central government cracked down on dissenting voices in the state-controlled media and also threatened dissident intellectuals with arrest. Hu seemed to be particularly aware of the dangers to authoritarian rule inherent on the internet. His government adopted strict regulations on internet chat sites and blocked access to news and search engines at will. Dissident Hu Jia was sentenced to three and a half years in jail in April of 2008 for calling for democratic reforms. Death penalty reforms enacted in 2007 may have decreased the number of executions carried out by China since capital punishment is now reserved for only extremely vile criminals, as the Supreme Peoples Court Chief Justice Xiao Yang has stated. Human rights groups estimate that the number of executions dropped from about 10,000 to a mere 6,000 - still considerably more than the rest of the worlds toll put together. The Chinese government considers its execution statistics a state secret but did reveal that 15% of lower court death sentences were overturned on appeal in 2008. Most troubling of all was the treatment of the Tibetan and Uighur minority groups under Hus government. Activists in both Tibet and Xinjiang (East Turkestan) have called for independence from China. Hus government responded by encouraging a mass migration of ethnic Han Chinese to both frontier areas to dilute the restive populations, and by cracking down hard on dissidents (whom it labels terrorists and separatist agitators). Hundreds of Tibetans were killed, and thousands of both Tibetans and Uighurs were arrested, never to be seen again. Human rights groups noted that many dissidents face torture and extrajudicial executions in Chinas prison system. Retirement On March 14, 2013, Hu Jintao stepped down as President of the Peoples Republic of China. He was succeeded by Xi Jinping. Overall, Hu led China to further economic growth throughout his tenure, as well as to the triumph of the 2012 Beijing Olympics. Xi Jinpings government may be hard-pressed to match Hus record.