Which property asks whether an instrument produces the same readings in the same circumstances (consistency)?

Which property asks whether an instrument produces the same readings in the same circumstances (consistency)?

• A. Reliability of measures
• B. Validity of measures
• C. Generalizability
• D. Sensitivity

Answer: (A)

Reliability refers to the consistency of a measure. If an instrument is reliable, it yields the same readings under the same conditions and when the underlying trait hasn’t changed. This consistency can show up as stability over time (test-retest reliability), internal consistency of items on a scale, or agreement between different raters (inter-rater reliability). The question is describing this dependable, repeatable performance. Validity, by contrast, is about whether the instrument actually measures the intended construct; generalizability concerns applying results beyond the sample, and sensitivity is about detecting small differences or changes. So the property described is reliability of measures.

Reliability refers to the consistency of a measure. If an instrument is reliable, it yields the same readings under the same conditions and when the underlying trait hasn’t changed. This consistency can show up as stability over time (test-retest reliability), internal consistency of items on a scale, or agreement between different raters (inter-rater reliability). The question is describing this dependable, repeatable performance. Validity, by contrast, is about whether the instrument actually measures the intended construct; generalizability concerns applying results beyond the sample, and sensitivity is about detecting small differences or changes. So the property described is reliability of measures.