Which statement is true about the relationship between a research study's validity and reliability?

A study can be reliable without being valid is true because reliability and validity are distinct concepts in research. Reliability refers to the consistency of a measure or the degree to which the results can be replicated under similar conditions. If a study yields the same results when repeated, it is considered reliable. However, that does not necessarily mean the study is measuring what it intends to measure, which is where validity comes into play.

For instance, a reliable measurement could consistently yield the same temperature reading in an environment that is actually not representative of the broader context (like a faulty thermometer that always reads the same wrong temperature). In this case, while the measurement process is consistent (reliable), it does not produce valid results regarding the actual temperature.

This distinction highlights that a study can produce consistent outcomes without accurately reflecting the underlying concept. Thus, a reliable study doesn't guarantee that it is valid—it may consistently provide incorrect answers rather than the correct ones related to the research question. This is a crucial understanding in evaluating research quality.