Final answer:
Reliability refers to how consistently a selection instrument produces results, which ensures the predictability of its measurements. It is different from validity, which pertains to the accuracy of what the instrument is supposed to measure. A test or tool must be both reliable and valid to be considered effective for research.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term being described in the question is reliability, which refers to the consistency or stability of a selection instrument, such as a predictor or criterion. Reliability in the context of data collection and research ensures that an instrument yields consistent results across multiple trials and is therefore predictable in its measurement. It is not to be confused with validity, which addresses the accuracy and appropriateness of what is being measured by the instrument. While a reliable instrument provides consistent results each time it is used, it may not necessarily provide valid results unless it measures what it is intended to measure accurately. For instance, an improperly calibrated kitchen scale might reliably measure the amount of cereal each time, but if it is not calibrated correctly, it does not provide valid results about the cereal's weight.