What does reliability in research measure?

Reliability in research refers to the consistency of findings across different studies. This means that if the same study or measurement is repeated under the same conditions, it should yield similar results each time. A reliable study produces findings that can be trusted to be stable and reproducible. This consistency is crucial for validating the results and theories developed from the research, as it suggests that the measures and methods used are dependable.

The other options focus on aspects that, while important in research, do not specifically define reliability. Thoroughness of qualitative research deals with depth and detail rather than consistency. The uniqueness of the research design relates to how distinctive the approach is, which does not address the issue of producing stable results. Lastly, the breadth of the study sample pertains to how comprehensive or wide-ranging the sample is, impacting generalizability rather than reliability itself.