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On the Inappropriateness of Using Items to Calculate Total Scale Score Reliability via Coefficient Alpha for Multidimensional Scales
Researchers have the implicit option of calculating internal consistency reliability (coefficient α) for total scale scores derived from multidimensional inventories based on either the inter-item correlation matrix (item unit-level) or the inter-subscale correlation matrix (subscale unit-level). It...
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Published in: | European journal of psychological assessment : official organ of the European Association of Psychological Assessment 2014, Vol.30 (2), p.130-139 |
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Main Author: | |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Citations: | Items that this one cites Items that cite this one |
Online Access: | Get full text |
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Summary: | Researchers have the implicit option of calculating internal consistency
reliability (coefficient α) for total scale scores
derived from multidimensional inventories based on either the inter-item
correlation matrix (item unit-level) or the inter-subscale correlation matrix
(subscale unit-level). It is demonstrated that item unit-level and subscale
unit-level reliability estimates often diverge substantially in practice.
Specifically, the item unit-level reliability estimation is often larger than
the corresponding subscale unit-level estimate. It is recommended that if
researchers calculate total scale score reliability at the item unit-level, then
a model-based approach to the estimation of internal consistency reliability
(i.e., omega hierarchical) should be applied, when the underlying model is
multidimensional. If omega hierarchical cannot be applied for any particular
reason, it is recommended that total scale score reliabilities be calculated at
the subscale unit-level of analysis, not the item unit-level. |
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ISSN: | 1015-5759 2151-2426 |
DOI: | 10.1027/1015-5759/a000181 |