A measure of consistency over several different occasions is termed external reliability.

• A. External reliability
• B. Internal reliability
• C. Cronbach's alpha
• D. Factor analysis

Answer: (A)

Consistency of a score across different occasions reflects temporal stability. When a test yields similar results for the same individuals on separate administrations, it demonstrates external reliability, often referred to as test–retest reliability. This kind of reliability shows the measure isn’t overly influenced by temporary factors like mood or context and that it reliably captures the trait or construct over time.

Internal reliability, by contrast, looks at how well the items on a single administration hang together to measure the same construct. Cronbach’s alpha is a statistic used to quantify that internal consistency. Factor analysis isn’t about reliability across time either; it’s about uncovering the underlying structure or dimensions among items.