Final answer:
a. Reliability and validity are two important concepts in sociological research. Reliability refers to the consistency and reproducibility of results. Validity refers to the degree to which a study accurately measures what it is intended to measure.
Step-by-step explanation:
a. Reliability and validity are two important concepts in sociological research. Reliability refers to the consistency and reproducibility of results. It ensures that if a study is reproduced, it will yield similar outcomes.
Validity, on the other hand, refers to the degree to which a study accurately measures what it is intended to measure. Researchers strive to use instruments that are both highly reliable and valid to ensure the credibility of their findings.