
doi: 10.20997/sr.19.2.4
The names of commonly used reliability coefficients, such as Cronbach’s alpha, give the impression that we are expressing respect for the first developers of the formulas. However, few studies have investigated the identity of each person who first discovered each reliability coefficient from a neutral point of view. This study examines the history of reliability coefficients and presents conclusions regarding who should be credited for developing each reliability coefficient. For example, this study claims that credit for inventing the alpha formula should be awarded to Kuder and Richardson (1937) and that the merit of developing a reliability coefficient based on a unidimensional confirmatory factor analysis model should be returned to Joreskog (1971). This study criticizes the existing names of reliability coefficients as pseudo-historical (i.e., not actually but having the appearance of being historical), suggesting the use of ahistorical (i.e., without concern for history) names instead.
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 7 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
