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Validity - GCSE Sociology Definition

Reviewed by: Raj Bonsor

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In GCSE Sociology, 'validity' refers to how accurate and truthful the data or information in a study is. When a study has high validity, it means that the results really do show what they claim to show. For example, if a survey is meant to find out how students feel about homework, it has high validity if the questions are clear and actually reflect students' true opinions. If the results are twisted or misrepresent what people think, then the study's validity is low. Having valid data is important because it helps sociologists understand the true picture of what's being studied.

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Raj Bonsor

Reviewer: Raj Bonsor

Expertise: Psychology & Sociology Content Creator

Raj joined Save My Exams in 2024 as a Senior Content Creator for Psychology & Sociology. Prior to this, she spent fifteen years in the classroom, teaching hundreds of GCSE and A Level students. She has experience as Subject Leader for Psychology and Sociology, and her favourite topics to teach are research methods (especially inferential statistics!) and attachment. She has also successfully taught a number of Level 3 subjects, including criminology, health & social care, and citizenship.

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