Author: Kopalle P.K. Lehmann D.R.
Publisher: Academic Press
ISSN: 0749-5978
Source: Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Vol.70, Iss.3, 1997-06, pp. : 189-197
Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.
Abstract
In this paper, we study the effect of the elimination of items from a scale so that only those items that correlate highly are chosen. Using a simulation, we estimate the impact on Cronbach's alpha as a function of the total number of items in a scale, the number of items chosen, the true correlation among the items, and the sample size. The results suggest that a substantial effect can exist. Not surprisingly, the effect is larger when sample sizes are smaller, when a smaller fraction of the original items is retained, and when there is greater variation in the true item-total correlations of the measures.
Related content
Narrative Derivatives of Alpha Elements: Clinical Implications
International Forum of Psychoanalysis, Vol. 11, Iss. 3, 2002-09 ,pp. :
EEG Alpha Asymmetry, Depression, and Cognitive Functioning
Cognition and Emotion, Vol. 12, Iss. 3, 1998-05 ,pp. :