Will the Real Achievement Anxiety Test Please Stand up: Effects of Removing Buffer Items and Altering Item Format of the Alpert-Haber Achievement Anxiety Test

Abstract

50 subjects were randomly assigned to each of six versions of the Achievement Anxiety Test which varied in terms of three item formats and the omission vs inclusion of the neutral buffer items. An analysis of covariance indicated a significant effect of item format on the Facilitative and Debilitative scales of the test. The internal consistency reliability of the Facilitative and Debilitative scales varied as a function of item format and removal of the buffer items. The results suggest that removal of the buffer items may improve the reliability of the two anxiety scales. This study replicated and extended an earlier study which investigated the effects of alterations on the Achievement Anxiety Test. The results of this study underscore the importance of precise and thorough description of all procedural details in published research for facilitating replication and cross-study comparisons of results.