Beyond Classical Test Theory: Congenericity and Its Impact on the Reliability and Validity of McCroskey’s Personal Report of Communication Apprehension-24

• In Event: ICA Plenary Interactive Paper/Poster Session II
  In Interactive Paper Session: Interpersonal Communication Interactive Poster Session

Abstract

When self-report measures such as McCroskey’s (1982) Personal Report of Communication Apprehension-24 are used to measure constructs, researchers assume that they comport to classical test theory assumptions, or are congeneric. However, research in Psychology shows the opposite--that most self-report measures are noncongeneric and can yield spurious correlations between construct variables. In this study, the PRCA-24 was submitted to confirmatory factor analysis to test these assumptions. Results show that the PRCA-24 stands out as one of few self-report measures to meet the criteria for congenericity. In conclusion, this study provides a model that other interpersonal communication researchers can follow when reporting the reliability and validity of the measurement instruments they use.

Authors

• Paola Pascual-Ferra, Loyola University Maryland

• Michael J. Beatty, U of Miami