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The Proper Sequence for Correcting Correlation Coefficients for Range Restriction and Unreliability

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2025

Joseph M. Stauffer  and
Jorge L. Mendoza
Joseph M. Stauffer*
Affiliation:
Center for Women in Small Business, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Jorge L. Mendoza
Affiliation:
University of Oklahoma
*
Requests for reprints should be sent to Joseph M. Stauffer, c/o Division Management, University of Oklahoma, 307 W. Brooks, Adams Hall, Room 206, Norman OK 73019. E-Mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Corrections of correlations for range restriction (i.e., selection) and unreliability are common in psychometric work. The current rule of thumb for determining the order in which to apply these corrections looks to the nature of the reliability estimate (i.e., restricted or unrestricted). While intuitive, this rule of thumb is untenable when the correction includes the variable upon which selection is made, as is generally the case. Using classical test theory, we show that it is the nature of the range restriction, not the nature of the available reliability coefficient, that determines the sequence for applying corrections for range restriction and unreliability.

Keywords

correlationrange restrictionreliabilityselection
Type
Articles
Information
Psychometrika , Volume 66 , Issue 1 , March 2001 , pp. 63 - 68
Copyright
Copyright © 2001 The Psychometric Society

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Footnotes

We would like to thank Malcolm James Ree for his encouragement and helpful comments as well as those of the editors, associate editor, and reviewers.

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