What is indicated by a KR-20 coefficient of 0.01 in a study?

A KR-20 coefficient of 0.01 indicates a lack of reliability in the measurement tool used in the study. KR-20, or Kuder-Richardson Formula 20, is a statistic used to assess the internal consistency of binary (dichotomous) items, such as true/false questions. Coefficients range from 0 to 1, with values closer to 1 suggesting that the items on the test are measuring the same underlying construct consistently.

A coefficient close to zero, like 0.01, signifies that the items do not correlate well with each other, indicating poor internal consistency and suggesting that the items may not be measuring the same construct effectively. In this scenario, the low KR-20 coefficient implies that the test lacks sufficient reliability, making it difficult to trust the results derived from it.

This understanding of the KR-20 coefficient is essential for researchers and practitioners in evaluating the quality and dependability of the measurement tools and data they are utilizing in their studies. The other potential options would imply varying degrees of reliability and consistency that simply do not apply when the coefficient is as low as 0.01.