Starting at the Beginning: An Introduction to Coefficient Alpha and Internal Consistency

2003/02/01 by David L. Streiner · 19 citations
Computer Science · #Computational Drug Discovery Methods

paper · doi:10.1207/s15327752jpa8001_18

crossref issued 2003/02/01 · crossref published 2003/02/01 · crossref published-print 2003/02/01 · openalex publication_date 2003/02/01 · crossref created 2004/01/14 · crossref deposited 2020/03/29 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · crossref indexed 2026/07/30 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31

Abstract

Cronbach's a is the most widely used index of the reliability of a scale. However, its use and interpretation can be subject to a number of errors. This article discusses the historical development of a from other indexes of internal consistency (split-half reliability and Kuder-Richardson 20) and discusses four myths associated with a: (a) that it is a fixed property of the scale, (b) that it measures only the internal consistency of the scale, (c) that higher values are always preferred over lower ones, and (d) that it is restricted to the range of 0 to 1. It provides some recommendations for acceptable values of a in different situations.

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