reliability

the probability that the values in a specific field in two matched records will agree (cf. a-ratio); r. in general is the extent of the consistency with which a measure (agreement) represents an intended characteristic (matching). Inviting ambiguity, H. B. Newcombe calls the r. the “numerator” (cf. Newcombe, 1988, pp. 105). Cf. also transmission coefficient. [Cf. Ch. 3, §1, ¶2, Ch. 2, §2, ¶7]. We distinguish two kinds of reliability: comparison and entity [Cf. Ch. 3, §1, ¶3].