Simultaneously Maximizing Coefficient Alpha and Minimizing Its Standard Error

• In Event: Methodological Issues in Survey Data Collection and Analysis

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to provide a procedure for maximizing coefficient α and minimizing its standard error among all possible subsets of items in a survey, or more generally, any objectively scored instrument. The option of forcing items into subsets to preserve validity is also supported. An Excel spreadsheet was created to execute the large amount of combinatoric calculations and is freely available. The results are confidence intervals for α across all subsets of items that give expectation limits for sampling both items and subjects.

Authors

• Mary G. Lieberman, Florida Atlantic University
  Presenting Author

• John D. Morris, Florida Atlantic University
  Presenting Author

• Maria D. Vásquez-Colina, Florida Atlantic University
  Presenting Author