title: Reliability of AIDS knowledge scales: conceptual issues.
abstract: A common approach to evaluating the reliability of AIDS knowledge scales has relied on the demonstration of internal consistency through the use of Kuder-Richardson formula 20 (KR-20) or coefficient alpha. In this study, the argument was made that, in a knowledge-based scale with diverse content (exemplified by AIDS knowledge scales), internal consistency does not make sense conceptually and underestimates the scale's true reliability. It was therefore hypothesized that a split-half approach, in which items in each half were matched for content, would provide superior estimates of reliability when compared to either KR-20 or an odd-even split-half approach. Reliability analyses performed on a knowledge scale developed by the author supported this hypothesis.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH.
authors: G D
authors: GD
authors: Zimet
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006266:Health Education / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D009820:Ohio; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*