Quote Originally Posted by Van View Post
Seli, could you define 'reliability' in this context, please?

I hope I am misunderstanding your usage, it sounds like a variation on the accuracy/precision thing.

Also, your gaussian curve of answers makes me antsy. Clustering around different possibilities invites more productive discussion.
It is a variation on the accuracy/precision element.

Reliability/repeatability does not have to be a bulls eye. It can be the same spot on the target but a clear miss. It has an unfortunate tendency to be related to causation but is more indicative of clustering.

The gaussian curve will occur in a large enough set of classes. I have NEVER had a perfect bell with one course of 20 students. I'm just not that consistent and the students, time of day, and so many other variables just keep it from happening. But, feeding five or six courses with an n+100+ and looking at that the curve looks like Monte Carlo data. I do have a course that has a dumbbell shape to them. F's and A's. That is because it has one project and you either pass or you don't. Some don't.