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Skew and internal consistency.

Authors :
Greer T
Dunlap WP
Hunter ST
Berman ME
Source :
The Journal of applied psychology [J Appl Psychol] 2006 Nov; Vol. 91 (6), pp. 1351-8.
Publication Year :
2006

Abstract

The effects of skew on the standardized item alpha were examined with Monte Carlo techniques. Alphas computed from normal variables were compared with alphas from lognormal variables, ranks, and skewed versus normal Likert-type variables. The extent and direction of skew were varied, as was the size of the population interitem correlation (rho), the number of items, and the number of categories for Likert-type variables. Because the average interitem correlation affects alpha and skew affects the average interitem correlation, the effect of skew on the average interitem correlation also was examined. Results indicated that skew decreased the average interitem correlation and produced small decreases in alpha that were largest when skew was large, rho was small, items were skewed in opposite directions, and there were fewer items.<br /> ((c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0021-9010
Volume :
91
Issue :
6
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
The Journal of applied psychology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
17100489
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.91.6.1351