Which of the following describes a sound screening tool?

A sound screening tool is characterized by its reliability, validity, and absence of bias, meaning that it consistently produces accurate results, measures what it intends to measure, and does so fairly across different populations. Reliability ensures that repeated tests give the same results, while validity confirms that the tool truly assesses the intended behavior or condition. The emphasis on being free of bias is crucial, as it ensures that the tool does not disadvantage any group based on characteristics such as race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. In contrast, the other options highlight characteristics that do not align with the ideal properties of an effective screening tool—such as being expensive, limited to specific demographics, or overly lengthy, which could hinder accessibility and practicality in various settings.