Lab Assignment #2: Are You Lonely Tonight?
Reyanna Myls Rebucas, 3139056
Department of Psychology, University of Winnipeg
PSYC 2101L: Introduction to Research Methods
Instructor: Jen Chuchmuch
January 30, 2023
2
1. Use SPSS to compute the coefficient alpha (α) for the revised UCLA Loneliness Scale and
for the University of Winnipeg Loneliness Scale. See the SPSS directions below. Have the
coefficient alphas on a single page of output. Circle and clearly label the coefficient alpha
(α) for each scale.
Reliability - UCLA
Case Processing Summary
N
Cases
Valid
Excludeda
Total
%
31
100.0
0
.0
31
100.0
a. Listwise deletion based on all variables in the
procedure.
Reliability Statistics
Cronbach's
Alpha
N of Items
.906
20
Reliability - U of W
Case Processing Summary
N
Cases
Valid
Excludeda
Total
%
31
100.0
0
.0
31
100.0
a. Listwise deletion based on all variables in the
procedure.
Reliability Statistics
Cronbach's
Alpha
N of Items
.840
20
3
2. What is coefficient alpha (α) for the revised UCLA Loneliness Scale? What is coefficient
alpha (α) for the U of W Loneliness Scale?
The coefficient alpha (a) for the revised UCLA loneliness Scale is 0.906. The coefficient alpha
(a) for the revised U of W Loneliness Scale is 0.840
3. Most investigators would be satisfied with an alpha of 0.7 or higher for an estimate of
internal-consistency reliability. Does the U of W Loneliness Scale pass this criterion? How
about the revised UCLA Loneliness Scale?
According to the 0.7 or above criterion, both the U of W and UCLA Loneliness Scale alphas
would pass. Since the U of W Loneliness Scale alpha is 0.840 and the UCLA Loneliness Scale
alpha is 0.906, they both pass the 0.7 or higher criterion for internal-consistency reliability.
4. Which scale has the higher reliability estimate? If one scale has a higher alpha than the
other, is it necessarily a better measure of the loneliness construct?
The scale with the higher reliability estimate is the UCLA Loneliness Scale. Reliability refers to
consistency between results under similar conditions, and even though the UCLA has a higher
reliability estimate, it technically can’t be better. Since the U of W and the UCLA scale results
were measured under two very different conditions and have different scale questions, we can’t
compare the two in terms of reliability.
4
5. Complete Table 2.1 (i.e., fill in the four missing values) … Compute coefficient alpha by hand
for the measurement instrument represented in Table 2.1.