An Empirical Analysis of Alleged Misunderstandings of Coefficient Alpha

Autor/inn/en	Hoekstra, R.; Vugteveen, J.; Warrens, M. J.; Kruyen, P. M.
Titel	An Empirical Analysis of Alleged Misunderstandings of Coefficient Alpha
Quelle	In: International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 22 (2019) 4, S.351-364 (14 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Hoekstra, R.) ORCID (Vugteveen, J.) ORCID (Warrens, M. J.) ORCID (Kruyen, P. M.)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1364-5579
DOI	10.1080/13645579.2018.1547523
Schlagwörter	Statistical Analysis; Researchers; Beliefs; Knowledge Level; Data Interpretation; Test Reliability; Misconceptions; Authors + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Statistische Analyse; Researcher; Forscher; Belief; Glaube; Wissensbasis; Data evaluation; Datenauswertung; Testreliabilität; Missverständnis; Author; Autor; Autorin
Abstract	Cronbach's alpha is the most frequently used measure to investigate the reliability of measurement instruments. Despite its frequent use, many warn for misinterpretations of alpha. These claims about regular misunderstandings, however, are not based on empirical data. To understand how common such beliefs are, we conducted a survey study to test researchers' knowledge of and beliefs about alpha. For this survey, we selected authors from recent papers, in which alpha was used. The results provide empirical evidence for the claims that researchers have difficulty interpreting alpha in a proper way. At the same time, we expounded the claims, by showing that whereas some beliefs are fairly typical, others are not so often seen. This non-technical paper, aimed at both statisticians and substantive researchers, is concluded by providing a few suggestions that could be helpful to get us out of the current stalemate regarding the usability of alpha and its alternatives. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01