Which option helps ensure data consistency when preparing a map package for data collection?

Creating domains and applying them to the layer is vital for ensuring data consistency when preparing a map package for data collection. Domains define the permissible values for an attribute within a dataset. By establishing specific domains for attributes, you can standardize data entry, reduce the likelihood of errors, and ensure that all collected data aligns with predefined criteria.

For example, if a domain is set for a field that captures land use types, only specified categories (such as residential, commercial, or agricultural) can be entered. This limits the variability of data entries and maintains uniformity across all collected data. Maintaining data consistency through domains helps in data analysis and reporting since datasets will have standardized formats and values, facilitating more effective interpretation of the information.

Using random combinations of datasets or focusing solely on symbology might lead to inconsistencies, as it doesn't provide a structured approach to managing data integrity. Ignoring data collection options also undermines the goals of maintaining a reliable dataset, as it can lead to uncontrolled variations in how data is recorded and classified.