Abstract
In the previous chapter we examined the validity question, “Does the instrument measure what it is supposed to measure?” We now turn to the issue of reliability, which is concerned with the question “Does the instrument provide us with an accurate assessment of the affective characteristics?” By “accurate assessment” we mean scores that are internally consistent upon one administration of the instrument as well as stable over time given two administrations (see Stanley, 1971). In this chapter we will explore the measurement theory underlying reliability and the evidence needed to support its internal consistency and stability. Following this, we will summarize the factors affecting the level of reliability and discuss the relationship between reliability and validity. The chapter will conclude with a presentation of an analysis of SPSS computer output pertaining to the reliability of the Gable-Roberts Attitude Toward Teacher Scale.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Additional Readings
Reliability
Benson, P. G., and Dickinson, T. L. (1983). Mixed standard scale response inconsistencies as reliability indices. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 43, 781–789.
Bintig, A. (1980). The effiiciency of various estimations of reliability of rating scales. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 40, 619–643.
Borhnstedt, G. W. (1970). Reliability and validity assessment in attitude measurement. In G. F. Summer (Ed.), Attitude measurement. Chicago: Rand McNally.
Bray, J. H., Maxwell, S. E., and Schneeck, R. R. (1980). A psychometric investigation of the survey of study habits and attitudes. Applied Psychological Measurement, 4, 195–201.
Carmines, E. G., and Zeller, R. A. (1979). Reliability and validity assessment. Beverly Hills: Sage.
Cowan, G., and Komorita, S. S. (1971). The effects of forewarning and pretesting on attitude change. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 31, 431–439.
Cronbach, L. J. (1951). Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests. Psychometrika, 16, 297–335.
Davidson, M. L., and Robbins, S. (1978). The reliability and validity of objective indices of moral development. Applied Psychological Measurement, 2, 389–401.
Gable, R. K. (1973). The effect of scale modifications on the factorial dimensions and reliability of Super’s Work Values Inventory. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 3, 303–322.
Huck, S. W. (1978). A modification of Hoyt’s analysis of variance reliability estimation procedure. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 38, 725–736.
Lumsden, J. L. (1977). Person reliability. Applied Psychological Measurement, 1, 477–482.
Marsh, H. W., et al. (1983). Self concept: Reliability stability, dimensionality, validity, and the measurement of change. Journal of Educational Psychology, 75, 772–790.
Novick, M., and Lewis, G. (1967). Coefficient alpha and the reliability of composite measurements. Psychometrika, 32, 1–13.
Parish, T. S., and Taylor, J. C. (1978a). A further report on the validity and reliability of the Personal Attribute Inventory for Children as a self-concept scale. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 38, 1225–1228.
Parish, T. S., and Taylor, J. C. (1978b). The Personal Attribute Inventory for Children: A report on its validity and reliability as a self-concept scale. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 38, 565–569.
Putnins, A. L. (1980). Reliability of the Jesness Inventory. Applied Psychological Measurement, 4, 127–129.
Roberts, D. M., and Bilderback, E. W. (1980). Reliability and validity of a statistics attitude survey. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 40, 235–238.
Taylor, J. B. (1977). Item homogeneity, scale reliability, and the self-concept hypothesis. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 37, 349–361.
Watkins, D., and Astilla, E. (1980). The reliability and validity of the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory for a sample of Filipino high school girls. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 40, 251–254.
Weiten, W. (1985). Reliability and validity of a scale to measure test-wiseness. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago, 1985.
Whitely, S. E. (1978). Individual inconsistency: Implications for test reliability and behavioral predictability. Applied Psychological Measurement, 2, 571–579.
Zirkel, P., and Gable, R. K. (1977). The reliability and validity of various measures of self-concept among ethnically disadvantaged adolescents. Measurement and Evaluation in Guidance, 10(1), 48–54.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1986 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Gable, R.K. (1986). The Reliability of Affective Instruments. In: Instrument Development in the Affective Domain. Evaluation in Education and Human Services, vol 12. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-7259-0_5
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-7259-0_5
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-015-7261-3
Online ISBN: 978-94-015-7259-0
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive