Abstract
Although often ignored, reliability is critical when interpreting study effects and test results. Accordingly, this article focuses on the most commonly used estimate of reliability, internal consistency coefficients, with emphasis on coefficient alpha. An interpretive framework is provided for applied researchers and others seeking a conceptual understanding of these estimates.
Keywords
Affiliated Institutions
Related Publications
Uses and abuses of coefficient alpha.
The article addresses some concerns about how coefficient alpha is reported and used. It also shows that alpha is not a measure of homogeneity or unidimensionality. This fact an...
Estimating ordinal reliability for Likert-type and ordinal item response data: A conceptual, empirical, and practical guide
This paper provides a conceptual, empirical, and practical guide for estimating ordinal reliability coefficients for ordinal item response data (also referred to as Likert, Like...
ON THE INTERNAL CONSISTENCY RELIABILITY OF FACTORS
On the assumption that principle component scores are to be computed by what is known as the direct solution (in contrast to estimation procedures), the weighted internal consis...
Limitations of Coefficient Alpha as an Index of Test Unidimensionality1
Confusion in the literature between the concepts of internal consistency and homogeneity has led to a misuse of coefficient alpha as an index of item homogeneity. Coefficient al...
Content validity in psychological assessment: A functional approach to concepts and methods.
This article examines the definition, importance, conceptual basis, and functional nature of content validity, with an emphasis on psychological assessment in clinical situation...
Publication Info
- Year
- 2001
- Type
- article
- Volume
- 34
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 177-189
- Citations
- 1045
- Access
- Closed
External Links
Social Impact
Social media, news, blog, policy document mentions
Citation Metrics
Cite This
Identifiers
- DOI
- 10.1080/07481756.2002.12069034