Which concept refers to the accuracy of a research measure?

The concept that best refers to the accuracy of a research measure is validity. Validity assesses whether a research tool measures what it claims to measure. For instance, in social work research, if a survey is designed to assess client mental health, its validity is established by determining how well the survey captures the specific aspects of mental health it aims to assess.

It's essential for research measures to be valid to ensure that the conclusions drawn from the data accurately reflect the reality they intend to represent. Inadequate validity may lead to incorrect interpretations and decisions based on flawed data.

While reliability is associated with the consistency of a measure over time or across various contexts, it does not inherently guarantee that the measure accurately captures the intended construct. Consistency is often part of the broader reliability aspect. Bias refers to systematic errors that may skew the results, but does not address the accuracy of the measure itself, which is what validity focuses on. Thus, validity is the correct answer when discussing the accuracy of a research measure.