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Ramifications of a Population Model for κ as a Coefficient of Reliability

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2025

Helena Chmura Kraemer
Helena Chmura Kraemer*
Affiliation:
Stanford University
*
Requests for reprints should be sent to the author, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305.
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Abstract

Coefficient κ is generally defined in terms of procedures of computation rather than in terms of a population. Here a population definition is proposed. On this basis, the interpretation of κ as a measure of diagnostic reliability in characterizing an individual, and the effect of reliability, as measured by κ, on estimation bias, precision, and test power are examined. Factors influencing the magnitude of κ are identified. Strategies to improve reliability are proposed, including that of combining multiple unreliable diagnoses.

Keywords

kappareliabilitySpearman-Brown formula
Type
Original Paper
Information
Psychometrika , Volume 44 , Issue 4 , December 1979 , pp. 461 - 472
Copyright
Copyright © 1979 The Psychometric Society

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Footnotes

This investigation was supported in part by the National Institute of Mental Health Specialized Research Center Grant # MH-30854.

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