Which term refers to the ability to reproduce a measurement under identical conditions?

• A. Accuracy
• B. Precision
• C. Reliability
• D. Validity

Answer: (B)

The term that refers to the ability to reproduce a measurement under identical conditions is precision. Precision indicates consistency in measurement, meaning that repeated measurements yield similar results when performed under the same circumstances. This characteristic is crucial in bone densitometry, where repeated scans should produce consistent values to ensure that any observed changes are due to actual variations in bone density rather than fluctuations in measurement technique or equipment.

Accuracy, on the other hand, relates to how close a measurement is to a true value. Reliability refers to the overall consistency of a test or measurement tool over time or across different evaluators, encompassing both precision and accuracy. Validity denotes how well a test measures what it is intended to measure, which is a different concept from reproducibility. Hence, precision is the most appropriate term for reproducibility in identical conditions.