Secondary Data

Collecting data for the purpose of research is not an easy task. Equally, the labor of collecting data for academic studies is time consuming, challenging and it may also be costly. Ultimately, the major components of a research project must include validity, reliability and generalizability.

According to Bachman and Schutt (2012), “the goal of research is to utilize measures that will provide valid knowledge.” In other words, a research project or study must have logical, meaningful, reasonable and truthful results that demonstrate the validity of a specific subject or topic. For instance, a valid end result should demonstrate that something or someone causes something to occur. Moreover, it is very important that the researcher conducts the tests, evaluations and/or other tools to collect data in a correct manner in order for the outcome to valid and show what is he/she is researching.

Reliability is another important element of the research process. As an illustration, a reliable employee is one who consistently performs and excels at his/her position producing positive results every day and in different circumstances. With this in mind, a researcher may achieve reliability in his or her studies if the outcome of the measures that are used are logical and seamless and produce the same results each time it is tested.

This may demonstrate that the reliability of a study is required in order for it to be valid.

Bachman and Schutt (2012) indicate, “ the reliability and the validity of any measures in a research project or study must be tried to evaluate the quality of the data obtained.” Therefore, it is of extreme importance that all measures that are going to be used in a study be designed and planned before the onset o...

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... published and already available literature that focused on the betterment of the adolescents’ well-being. Valois et al. (2002) indicate, “ that the literature reviewed focused on factors such as individual, family, school, community and neighborhood, which could influence the negative behaviors.” Adolescents may go through a number of situational experiences that may affect them in a negative way. Most of the problems that they may encounter such as drugs, teen pregnancy, poverty, and gangs may have positive results if proper interventions are placed at an early stage in the lives of youth facing difficult challenges. Valois et al. (2002) further indicate, “ a joint team efforts of family, schools, and community agencies should apply preventive measures based on multi-system and theory during the elementary and middle school years and throughout high school.”