Marketing Research and Insight Glossary

Definitions, common uses and explanations of 1,500+ key market research terms and phrases.

What is dependability?

Research Topics:
Data Quality | Quantitative Research
Content Type:
Glossary
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Dependability Definition

A facet of reliability that relates to the degree of certainty given changes in the design of the study and the changing conditions surrounding the object of study.

Dependability refers to the consistency, reliability and repeatability of research findings, thus upholding their integrity. It makes certain that research methods, procedures and data analysis are consistent and can be replicated to obtain similar results. That can contribute to the overall credibility of research. In other words, dependability is the degree of certainty given to changes in the design of the study and the varied conditions surrounding the object of study. Without dependability, research outcomes can be inconsistent or unreliable, which can result in flawed decisions and wasted resources.

Who relies on dependability?

Businesses, marketing professionals and consumers look to dependability to ensure and trust research findings to guide them toward effective decision-making.

Why should I care about dependability?

Dependability directly impacts marketing research because it ensures quality and trustworthiness of research insights. Reliable research leads to conclusions that are accurate, and that data can be used confidently for strategic planning, campaign development and other business decisions.