Artifactual Reliability of Forced-Choice Scales

The possibility of artifactual reliability of multiple scales embedded in a single forced-choice instrument was examined. It was demonstrated that, by introducing one perfectly reliable scale in an instrument when responses to all of the remaining scales were random, considerable internal consistenc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied psychology 1988-11, Vol.73 (4), p.749-751
Main Author: Tenopyr, Mary L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Construct Validity
Correlations
Forced Choice (Testing Method)
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Human
Occupational psychology
Orientation. Selection. Evaluation
Psychology
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Rating Scales
Reliability
Scale
Social research
Statistical Validity
Tests
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Summary:The possibility of artifactual reliability of multiple scales embedded in a single forced-choice instrument was examined. It was demonstrated that, by introducing one perfectly reliable scale in an instrument when responses to all of the remaining scales were random, considerable internal consistency reliability was generated in the remaining scales. The findings cast doubt on the advisability of the practice of making construct-oriented interpretations of ipsative scores from multiple-scale instruments. Alternative procedures for obtaining the reliability estimates necessary for demonstration of construct validity of the scales are recommended.
ISSN:0021-9010
1939-1854
DOI:10.1037/0021-9010.73.4.749