Open AccessCoefficient α as a Measure of Test Score Reliability: Review of 3 Popular Misconceptions
Author(s) -
Osvaldo F. Morera,
Sonya M. Stokes
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.2015.302993
Subject(s) - cronbach's alpha , reliability (semiconductor) , test (biology) , index (typography) , measure (data warehouse) , psychology , statistics , psychometrics , clinical psychology , computer science , mathematics , data mining , paleontology , physics , quantum mechanics , world wide web , biology , power (physics)
We discuss 3 popular misconceptions about Cronbach α or coefficient α, traditionally used in public health and the behavioral sciences as an index of test score reliability. We also review several other indices of test score reliability. We encourage researchers to thoughtfully consider the nature of their data and the options when choosing an index of reliability, and to clearly communicate this choice and its implications to their audiences.