A newly developed instrument is found to have a Cronbach's alpha ...

[Bob-Dole]

A newly developed instrument is found to have a Cronbach's alpha of 0.82. The nurse researcher interprets this to mean what?
 
  a. The instrument has no internal consistency.
  b. The instrument has a low degree of internal consistency.
  c. The instrument has a moderate degree of internal consistency.
  d. The instrument has a relatively high degree of internal consistency.

Question 2

The nurse researcher notes that the initial test for reliability of an instrument has been conducted on a sample that has different characteristics from those of the current study sample. The researcher should do what?
 
  a. Conduct a pilot study on the current sample to determine whether reliability is maintained.
  b. Use the instrument with the current sample because reliability holds across samples.
  c. Use the Kuder-Richardson formula to recalculate the reliability coefficient.
  d. Discard or reject the instrument.

[meryzewe]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D

Feedback
A This is not an accurate interpretation of the example.
B The example evidences a high degree of internal consistency.
C The example evidences a high degree of internal consistency.
D Alphas above 0.70 provide very good or relatively high evidence for supporting the internal consistency of the instrument.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B

Feedback
A The pilot sample was most likely done before this time.
B A reliable instrument can be used on more than one occasion to measure a set of behaviors that ordinarily remains relatively constant.
C Kuder-Richardson could be calculated on the current sample, but this answer is incorrect.
D The instrument should not be discarded.