Analytic estimation of standard error and confidence interval for scale reliability

An analytic approach to standard error and confidence interval estimation of scale reliability with fixed congeneric measures is proposed that is based on a generally applicable estimator stability evaluation procedure, the delta method (e.g., Ogasawara, 1999). The approach complements wide-spread point estimation of composite reliability in behavioral scale construction and development, and can be used to evaluate precision of estimates and plausible ranges for reliability of multiple-component instruments in studied populations. The method is illustrated by means of a numerical example.