C1 Expression Sehr formell 3 Min. Lesezeit

Test-retest reliability was

Research methodology and reporting expression

Use this phrase in formal reports to prove your measurements are consistent and trustworthy over multiple trials.

In 15 Sekunden

  • Measures if a test gives consistent results over time.
  • Essential for academic papers, medical reports, and data analysis.
  • Proves that your research findings aren't just a lucky coincidence.

Bedeutung

This phrase describes how consistent a test or measurement tool is over time. If you give the same test twice to the same person, and the results are almost identical, it has high reliability.

Wichtige Beispiele

3 von 6
1

Writing a university psychology thesis

The test-retest reliability was found to be 0.89, indicating strong consistency.

The test-retest reliability was found to be 0.89, indicating strong consistency.

💼
2

Presenting a new fitness app's tracking accuracy

Test-retest reliability was a priority during our beta phase to ensure user trust.

Test-retest reliability was a priority during our beta phase to ensure user trust.

💼
3

Discussing a flawed study with a colleague

I'm worried the test-retest reliability was too low to publish these results.

I'm worried the test-retest reliability was too low to publish these results.

💼
🌍

Kultureller Hintergrund

The phrase emerged from the rise of standardized testing in the 20th century, particularly in the US and Europe. It reflects a cultural shift toward 'quantifying' human behavior and intelligence. Today, it is a hallmark of the 'Scientific Method' used globally to ensure fairness in everything from IQ tests to medical diagnostics.

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The Magic Number

In most social sciences, a reliability score of 0.70 or higher is considered 'acceptable'. If you hit 0.90, you're a rockstar!

⚠️

Don't confuse with Validity

Reliability means 'consistent'. Validity means 'accurate'. A broken clock is reliable (it's always the same), but it isn't valid (it's the wrong time)!

In 15 Sekunden

  • Measures if a test gives consistent results over time.
  • Essential for academic papers, medical reports, and data analysis.
  • Proves that your research findings aren't just a lucky coincidence.

What It Means

Imagine you step on a scale today. It says you weigh 70kg. You step on it again five minutes later. It should still say 70kg. That consistency is what test-retest reliability is all about. In the world of science and psychology, we need to know that our tools aren't just guessing. If a personality test says you are an extrovert on Monday but an introvert on Tuesday, the test is broken. We use this phrase to prove our data is solid and repeatable. It is the 'trust factor' of any measurement.

How To Use It

You usually follow this phrase with a statistical value or a descriptive adjective. For example, you might say test-retest reliability was high or test-retest reliability was 0.85. It almost always appears in the past tense because you are reporting on a study you already finished. Think of it as the 'receipt' for your research. You are showing your audience that your results weren't just a one-time fluke. It’s like telling a friend, "I checked twice, and I'm sure."

When To Use It

This is a superstar phrase in academic writing and professional reports. Use it when you are writing a thesis, a white paper, or a medical report. If you are presenting data to a board of directors, this phrase makes you look incredibly prepared. It belongs in the 'Methods' or 'Results' section of a paper. You can also use it in high-level discussions about software testing or quality control. It shows you value precision and long-term accuracy.

When NOT To Use It

Don't use this at a casual Sunday brunch. If you tell your partner, "The test-retest reliability of your coffee brewing is low," you might get a weird look. It is too heavy for everyday chores or casual hobbies. Avoid it in creative writing or emotional storytelling unless you are writing a character who is a robot or a very stiff scientist. It’s a tool for logic, not for feelings. Also, don't use it if you only tested something once—the 'retest' part is mandatory!

Cultural Background

This term comes from the 'Psychometric' tradition of the early 20th century. Western science became obsessed with measuring the human mind. To make psychology feel like 'real' science, researchers needed strict rules. This phrase became a gatekeeper for truth in universities across the UK and US. Today, it represents the global standard for 'Evidence-Based' practice. It reflects a culture that prizes data over intuition.

Common Variations

You might see test-retest correlation which refers to the specific math used. Some people use temporal stability if they want to sound even fancier. In casual office talk, someone might just ask, "Is it repeatable?" However, in a formal paper, stick to the full phrase. You can also say the reliability was established via test-retest to change the sentence flow. Just remember: 'reliability' is the noun, 'reliable' is the adjective.

Nutzungshinweise

This is a high-level academic expression. It requires a singular verb ('was') and is almost exclusively found in the 'Methods' or 'Results' section of formal documents.

💡

The Magic Number

In most social sciences, a reliability score of 0.70 or higher is considered 'acceptable'. If you hit 0.90, you're a rockstar!

⚠️

Don't confuse with Validity

Reliability means 'consistent'. Validity means 'accurate'. A broken clock is reliable (it's always the same), but it isn't valid (it's the wrong time)!

💬

The 'Nerd' Signal

Using this phrase outside of a lab instantly signals that you are highly educated or 'data-driven'. Use it sparingly to avoid sounding arrogant.

Beispiele

6
#1 Writing a university psychology thesis
💼

The test-retest reliability was found to be 0.89, indicating strong consistency.

The test-retest reliability was found to be 0.89, indicating strong consistency.

Standard academic reporting using a decimal value.

#2 Presenting a new fitness app's tracking accuracy
💼

Test-retest reliability was a priority during our beta phase to ensure user trust.

Test-retest reliability was a priority during our beta phase to ensure user trust.

Using the term to show product quality in a business setting.

#3 Discussing a flawed study with a colleague
💼

I'm worried the test-retest reliability was too low to publish these results.

I'm worried the test-retest reliability was too low to publish these results.

Expressing professional concern about data quality.

#4 A scientist joking about their morning routine
😄

The test-retest reliability of my alarm clock is the only thing keeping me employed.

The test-retest reliability of my alarm clock is the only thing keeping me employed.

Using formal jargon in a casual way for a 'nerdy' joke.

#5 Explaining why a medical trial failed
👔

Unfortunately, the test-retest reliability was compromised by the changing environment.

Unfortunately, the test-retest reliability was compromised by the changing environment.

Explaining a technical failure in a serious context.

#6 Texting a lab partner about data
🤝

Just checked the stats—test-retest reliability was amazing! We're good to go.

Just checked the stats—test-retest reliability was amazing! We're good to go.

Informal delivery of formal information between peers.

Teste dich selbst

Choose the best word to complete the academic statement.

To ensure the survey's accuracy, the ___ reliability was calculated over a two-week interval.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: test-retest

`Test-retest` is the specific technical term used in research methodology.

Complete the sentence describing a successful experiment.

The results were highly stable; in fact, the test-retest reliability ___ excellent.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: was

Reliability is a singular noun, so we use 'was' in the past tense.

🎉 Ergebnis: /2

Visuelle Lernhilfen

Formality Level of 'Test-retest reliability was'

Casual

Talking to friends about a hobby.

It works every time.

Neutral

Office meeting about a project.

The results are consistent.

Formal

Scientific paper or thesis.

Test-retest reliability was 0.92.

Where to use 'Test-retest reliability was'

Research Reporting
🏥

Medical Journal

Reporting vaccine trial consistency.

💻

Tech White Paper

Validating a new AI sensor.

🎓

University Thesis

Defending your data collection.

🏭

Quality Control

Testing factory equipment precision.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

It means you performed the same test on the same group of people at two different times to see if the results stayed the same. It’s a measure of consistency.

Mostly, yes. It is used in psychology, medicine, engineering, and data science. You won't hear it in a literature class or at a party.

You can use is if you are talking about a general fact, like Test-retest reliability is important. However, when reporting your own results, always use was.

Usually, anything above 0.7 or 0.8 is considered good. If it is 1.0, it is perfect (but that almost never happens in real life).

No, it is very formal. It is specifically designed for technical writing and professional presentations.

You don't pronounce the hyphen! Just say the words with a very short pause: 'test re-test'.

Not really. You use it for the *test* or the *tool*, not the person. You wouldn't say 'My friend has high test-retest reliability'.

Then you would say test-retest reliability was low or poor. This tells the reader the test might not be trustworthy.

In casual settings, you can say repeatability. But in a formal paper, there is no shortcut—you must use the full phrase.

Yes, it can apply to sensors, scales, or any measuring device. If a thermometer gives different readings for the same ice cube, its reliability is low.

Verwandte Redewendungen

Internal consistency

How well different parts of the same test work together.

Inter-rater reliability

How much different people agree when they grade the same test.

Statistical significance

The likelihood that a result wasn't caused by random chance.

Standard deviation

A measure of how spread out the numbers in a data set are.

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