[讨论]Cronbachs Alpha and Likert-Type Scales

SPSSCHEN

4527

收藏 2006-05-17

Hi everyone,

From my readings, there seems to be some debate whether or not Likert-type survey response data meets the requirements of using Cronbach's alpha. I have seven survey items and (n=145 responses) using a seven-point Likert scale. I am confident that the seven items have construct validity. The alpah value was .785 when I used SPSS cronbach alpha analysis function. The alpha value serves to support construct validity, so it seems to make intuitive sense. Any thoughts on using Cronbach's alpha with Likert scales survey data?

V/r,
Robert

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SPSSCHEN

2006-5-17 00:44:00

Keith Starborn
www.statisticsdoc.com

Robert,

Cronbach's alpha is appropriate to use to assess the internal consistency of scales that are computed from Likert-scaled items. However, a critical issue arises in knowing whether or not you have Likert-scaled items. Not all seven point scales qualify as being Likert scales. A critical element of what makes a scale a Likert scale is having an interval level of measurement: i.e., does each one-point difference on the response scale represent the same difference psychologically? Whether your scale points present an interval level of measurement depends on the scale choices that
respondents are given. Starting with Rensis Likert's classic work, a great deal of attention has been given to establishing whether certain scale choices present equal intervals.

A clear example of a seven-point scale that does not possess interval
measurement would be this:

How often do you check the SPSS Listerv each day?
1 = Never
2 = Once
3 = Two to Five Times
4 = Six to Ten Times
5 = Eleven to Twenty Times
6 = Twenty One to Hundred Times
7 = More than One Hundred Times

This is not an interval scale because each point increase does not have the same meaning.

The issue of whether the scale you are using is interval or not depends on the findings of empirical research on the properties of the scale options. A great deal of work has been done on researching the scale properties of various agree-disagree scales, for example.

HTH,

KS

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