What is an acceptable alpha value?

In the realm of reliability assessment, a universally acknowledged benchmark exists. An alpha coefficient ranging from 0.6 to 0.7 signifies a satisfactory level of reliability, indicating that the measure or instrument in question is deemed reliable for its intended purpose.

This phenomenon of redundancy can undermine the validity of the results, as it suggests that the measure may not be capturing a diverse range of constructs or dimensions. As such, researchers and practitioners must exercise caution when interpreting alpha coefficients in this range.

Moving upwards on the scale, an alpha coefficient of 0.8 or higher represents an exceptionally good level of reliability. This threshold is often seen as a marker of strong internal consistency and high confidence in the results obtained.

However, it is crucial to note that excessively high alpha values, specifically those exceeding 0.95, do not automatically translate to superior reliability. Instead, they may serve as a red flag, hinting at potential issues of redundancy within the measure or instrument.

According to Hulin, Netemeyer, and Cudeck (2001), when alpha values soar above 0.95, it could be an indication that the items within the measure are overly similar, leading to an artificially inflated reliability score.