Reliability has to do with the ability of a person or system to perform and maintain its processes and functions in routine situations, as well as unexpected circumstances. It also has to do with the quality of measurement. In its everyday sense, reliability is how consistent or repeatable research and measurements are. We often speak about a machine as reliable, for example 'I have a reliable car.' Or, news people talk about a usually reliable source. In both cases, the word reliable usually means dependable or trustworthy. When we speak of a dependable measure, we mean one that is both reliable and valid. A measure is considered reliable if it would give us the same result over and over again. We cannot calculate reliability - we can only estimate it. It's not possible to calculate reliability exactly. This effects how we gain knowledge, as unreliable information will make us draw false conclusions, leading to gain false knowledge. With this inaccurate knowledge, this could lead to making mistakes with decisions, for example testing a new product that includes unreliable information could have serious consequences. In such scientific experimental situations, information and data have to be confirmed to be reliable so that their results will be accurate.
No comments:
Post a Comment