Limitations of coefficient alpha as an index of test unidimensionality1

Samuel B. Green; Robert W. Lissitz; Stanlen A. Mulaik

doi:10.1177/001316447703700403

Limitations of coefficient alpha as an index of test unidimensionality1

Samuel B. Green, Robert W. Lissitz, Stanlen A. Mulaik

Arizona State University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

342 Scopus citations

Abstract

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 alpha is actually a complexly determined test statistic, item homogeneity only being one influence on its magnitude. The related statistic, the average intercorrelation, has similar difficulties. Several indices of item homogeneity derived from the model of common factor analysis are offered as alternatives.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	827-838
Number of pages	12
Journal	Educational and Psychological Measurement
Volume	37
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447703700403
State	Published - Dec 1977

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Education
Developmental and Educational Psychology
Applied Psychology
Applied Mathematics

Access to Document

10.1177/001316447703700403

Cite this

@article{d2afff6aef574072acdd5cb6592357c4,

title = "Limitations of coefficient alpha as an index of test unidimensionality1",

abstract = "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 alpha is actually a complexly determined test statistic, item homogeneity only being one influence on its magnitude. The related statistic, the average intercorrelation, has similar difficulties. Several indices of item homogeneity derived from the model of common factor analysis are offered as alternatives.",

author = "Green, {Samuel B.} and Lissitz, {Robert W.} and Mulaik, {Stanlen A.}",

note = "Funding Information: This research was supported in part by the Auburn University Research Council. 1 ",

year = "1977",

month = dec,

doi = "10.1177/001316447703700403",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "37",

pages = "827--838",

journal = "Educational and Psychological Measurement",

issn = "0013-1644",

publisher = "SAGE Publications Inc.",

number = "4",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Limitations of coefficient alpha as an index of test unidimensionality1

AU - Green, Samuel B.

AU - Lissitz, Robert W.

AU - Mulaik, Stanlen A.

N1 - Funding Information: This research was supported in part by the Auburn University Research Council. 1

PY - 1977/12

Y1 - 1977/12

N2 - 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 alpha is actually a complexly determined test statistic, item homogeneity only being one influence on its magnitude. The related statistic, the average intercorrelation, has similar difficulties. Several indices of item homogeneity derived from the model of common factor analysis are offered as alternatives.

AB - 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 alpha is actually a complexly determined test statistic, item homogeneity only being one influence on its magnitude. The related statistic, the average intercorrelation, has similar difficulties. Several indices of item homogeneity derived from the model of common factor analysis are offered as alternatives.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84970155806&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84970155806&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1177/001316447703700403

DO - 10.1177/001316447703700403

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:84970155806

SN - 0013-1644

VL - 37

SP - 827

EP - 838

JO - Educational and Psychological Measurement

JF - Educational and Psychological Measurement

IS - 4

ER -

Limitations of coefficient alpha as an index of test unidimensionality1

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this