RELIABILITY

COEFFICIENT USING
THE KR-20, & 21
Kuder- Richardson Methods (KR-20, KR-21)

The KR reliability coefficient can be thought

of as the average correlation obtained from all
possible split halves reliability estimates. With KR-
20 formula giving a better estimate for reliability of
the test concerned than when the KR-21 formula is
invoked. In fact, the KR-21 formula can be
regarded as a simplified version of the
mathematically more complicated KR-20 formula.
Given below are the two formulae concerned.
Where:
K = number of items in the test
sum of pqs = sum of variance of items scored dichotomously
(right or wrong)

Where:
K = number of items in the test
M = mean of test scores
Steps in Solving the Reliability
Coefficient Using KR 20

1. Solve the difficulty index of each item (p)

2. Solve the value of q in each item
3. Find the product of p and q in each item
4. Find the summation of pq
5. Solve the variance of the scores
6. Solve the reliability coefficient using KR-20
formula
Variance
s=nx-n(x)
n(n-1)

Where,
n=number of items
x=summation of the square of
(x)
x=summation of (x)
Reliability Coefficient using KR 20

Coefficient of Determination=
(KR20)
KR21
 Reliability Interpretation
0.90 and above Excellent reliability; at the level of the best
standardized test
0.80 - 0.89 Very good for a classroom test
0.70 0.79 Good for a classroom test; in the range of most.
There are probably a few items which could be
improved.
0.60 0.69 Somewhat low. This test needs to be supplemented
by other measures (e.g., more tests) to determine
grades. There are probably some items which could
be improved.
0.50 0.59 Suggests need for revision of test, unless it is quite
short (ten or fewer items). The test definitely needs to
be supplemented by other measures (e.g., more
tests) for grading.
0.49 and below Questionable reliability. This test should not contribute
heavily to the course grade, and it needs revision.
Exercise: Look for the reliability of
the given test using KR-20
Item No. of Item No. of Students Item No. No. of Students
No. Students No. getting item getting item
getting item correct correct
correct
1 20 16 16 31 12
2 18 17 13 32 9
3 16 18 9 33 5
4 21 19 18 34 10
5 19 20 22 35 2
6 16 21 12 36 8
7 16 22 9 37 15
8 12 23 13 38 5
9 18 24 20 39 8
10 18 25 9 40 13
11 20 26 13
12 13 27 15
13 16 28 12
14 20 29 14
15 13 30 13
K = 40
Variance = 90.38
Sum of pq = 8.50