A student sets a computer program to record participants' responses to materials in her experiment to the millisecond,rather than to the tenth of a second.Which characteristic of the measuring instrument is the student trying to ensure?
A) accuracy
B) precision
C) validity
D) reliability

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Precision refers to the degree to which a measuring instrument can consistently measure the same variable. By recording responses to the millisecond, the student is aiming to increase precision, as even small differences in response times can be captured. Accuracy, on the other hand, refers to the degree to which a measuring instrument measures what it is intended to measure. Validity refers to the degree to which an experiment measures what it is intended to measure, and reliability refers to the degree to which an experiment can produce consistent results. While measuring to the millisecond may also increase accuracy, the question specifically asks for the characteristic the student is trying to ensure, which is precision. Therefore, B is the best choice.

A Student Sets a Computer Program to Record Participants' Responses