Advancing Alpha: Measuring Reliability with Confidence

Journal of Consumer Psychology, 13(4), 478-487, 2003

10 Pages Posted: 21 Nov 2015 Last revised: 19 Feb 2016

See all articles by Dawn Iacobucci

Dawn Iacobucci

Vanderbilt University - Marketing; Vanderbilt University - Marketing

Adam Duhachek

Indiana University Bloomington

Date Written: 2003

Abstract

In this research, we present the inferential statistics for Cronbach’s coefficient alpha. This index of reliability is extremely important in consumer research. The estimation of alpha and its confidence intervals are described and an analytical demonstration illustrates the effects on these statistics of their components, including the number of items, the item intercorrelations, and sample size. SAS and SPSS programs are offered for easy implementation. We conclude with a prescription that every time a researcher reports a coefficient alpha, the confidence interval for alpha should accompany the alpha estimate.

Suggested Citation

Iacobucci, Dawn and Iacobucci, Dawn and Duhachek, Adam, Advancing Alpha: Measuring Reliability with Confidence (2003). Journal of Consumer Psychology, 13(4), 478-487, 2003, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2693313

Dawn Iacobucci (Contact Author)

Vanderbilt University - Marketing ( email )

Nashville, TN 37203
United States

Vanderbilt University - Marketing ( email )

Nashville, TN 37203
United States

Adam Duhachek

Indiana University Bloomington ( email )

Dept of Biology
100 South Indiana Ave.
Bloomington, IN 47405
United States

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