Which criteria refer to the ability of the instrument to detect fine differences among the subjects being studied?
A. Sensitivity
B. Reliability
C. Validity
D. Objectivity
Correct Answer: A. Sensitivity
Sensitivity is an attribute of the instrument that allows the respondents to distinguish differences in the options where to choose from. Sensitivity is one of four related statistics used to describe the accuracy of an instrument for making a dichotomous classification (i.e., positive or negative test outcome). Of these four statistics, sensitivity is defined as the probability of correctly identifying some condition or disease state.
Option B: Reliability is the repeatability of the instrument; it can elicit the same responses even with varied administration of the instrument. In simple terms, research reliability is the degree to which research method produces stable and consistent results. A specific measure is considered to be reliable if its application on the same object of measurement a number of times produces the same results.
Option C: Validity is the extent to which the results really measure what they are supposed to measure. A valid measurement is generally reliable: if a test produces accurate results, it should be reproducible.
Option D: Objectivity in social research is the principle drawn from positivism that, as far as is possible, researchers should remain distanced from what they study so findings depend on the nature of what was studied rather than on the personality, beliefs, and values of the researcher (an approach not accepted by researchers in the critical, standpoint or interpretive traditions).