When referring to public opinion data, "reliable" means that the data accurately reflects the opinions of a particular group or population. It implies that the data is consistent and can be trusted as a true representation of people's views.
Related terms
Unreliable: Public opinion data would be considered unreliable if there are inconsistencies or errors in how it was collected or if it does not accurately represent the opinions of the intended population.
Sampling Bias: This term refers to when the sample used for collecting public opinion data is not representative of the larger population, leading to skewed results.
Social Desirability Bias: Social desirability bias occurs when respondents in a survey give answers that they perceive as more socially acceptable rather than their true beliefs or opinions.