Original Research Derivation of individualised item interrelatedness indices of careless responding

Gert K. Huysamen

About the author(s) Gert K. Huysamen, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

Abstract

Orientation: Presently, carelessly responding (CR) individuals are omitted in terms of several individual indices, including consistency-type indices (that compare performance on only a limited number of matched item pairs), and subsequently, the effectiveness of such screening is evaluated in terms of, among others, the group mean item interrelatedness (IIR) (based on all J[J – 1] item pairs).

Research purpose: This research aims to develop individualised versions of the group IIR measures to render them applicable during the screening phase as substitutes for the presently used consistency-type indices.

Motivation for the study: Such individual consistency indices may be used together with other CR indices to jointly determine the eventual evaluation results.

Research approach/design and method: To develop the intended CR indices mathematical-statistical principles were applied on the product moment correlation and coefficient alpha formulae.

Main findings: Three individual IIR indices have been developed which show individual respondents’ respective contributions to the mean item inter-correlation and to coefficient alpha, as measures of group mean IIR.

Practical/managerial implications: These indices may be used during screening in lieu of the existing restrictive consistency indices.

Contribution/value-add: Carelessly responding respondents who previously may have survived screening because of less-inclusive consistency-type IIR indices and consequently may have negatively affected the eventual evaluation results, are now screened out.

Keywords

self-report inventories; Likert items; survey research; careless responding; coefficient alpha.

JEL Codes

C18: Methodological Issues: General

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 4: Quality education

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