UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Reliability indicates how consistently an instrument measures whatever it measures. If the same individuals are tested under similar conditions and the scores show little random fluctuation, the instrument is considered reliable. High reliability is necessary for valid interpretation because inconsistent scores cannot support stable conclusions. Thus, the consistency described in the stem is correctly called reliability.

Option A:
Feasibility deals with practical issues such as cost and time, which affect whether an instrument can be used, but not whether it yields consistent results.

Option B:
Utility refers to the usefulness or practicality of a test in decision making and may incorporate reliability and validity, yet it is not the specific term for consistency across administrations.

Option C:
Reliability can be estimated by methods like test–retest, split-half and internal consistency coefficients. These estimates indicate the proportion of observed score variance that is due to true differences rather than measurement error. This focus on repeatable, stable scores aligns exactly with the stem, making this option correct.

Option D:
Sensitivity concerns how well an instrument detects small differences or changes in the construct, which is related but not identical to overall score consistency across occasions.