A journey around alpha and omega to estimate internal consistency reliability

Based on recent psychometric developments, this paper presents a conceptual and practical guide for estimating internal consistency reliability of measures obtained as item sum or mean. The internal consistency reliability coefficient is presented as a by-product of the measurement model underlying...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Viladrich, Carme|||0000-0002-7464-1455, Angulo-Brunet, Ariadna|||0000-0002-0583-1618, Doval Dieguez, Eduardo|||0000-0001-8416-160X
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2017
País:España
Institución:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Idioma:español
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:173917
Acceso en línea:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/173917
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.6018/analesps.33.3.268401
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Reliability-SEM
Reliability
Internal consistency
Cronbach's alpha
Coefficient alpha
Coefficient omega
Congeneric measures
Tau-equivalent measures
Confirmatory factor analysis
Fiabilidad
Consistencia interna
Alfa de Cronbach
Coeficiente alfa
Coeficiente omega
Medidas congenéricas
Medidas tau-equivalentes
Análisis factorial confirmatorio
Descripción
Sumario:Based on recent psychometric developments, this paper presents a conceptual and practical guide for estimating internal consistency reliability of measures obtained as item sum or mean. The internal consistency reliability coefficient is presented as a by-product of the measurement model underlying the item responses. A three-step procedure is proposed for its estimation, including descriptive data analysis, test of relevant measurement models, and computation of internal consistency coefficient and its confidence interval. Provided formulas include: (a) Cronbach's alpha and omega coefficients for unidimensional measures with quantitative item response scales, (b) coefficients ordinal omega, ordinal alpha and nonlinear reliability for unidimensional measures with dichotomic and ordinal items, (c) coefficients omega and omega hierarchical for essentially unidimensional scales presenting method effects. The procedure is generalized to weighted sum measures, multidimensional scales, complex designs with multilevel and/or missing data and to scale development. Four illustrative numerical examples are fully explained and the data and the R syntax are provided.