Instructional Manipulation Check (IMC, Oppenheimer)
HR & WorkReliability: behavioural quality control2 sample items
About this scale
A standard data-quality check item embedded in surveys to identify careless responding. Participants who fail are typically excluded from analysis.
Sample item(s)
“Most modern theories of decision making recognize... Please select 'I have read this question carefully' to show that you are paying attention.”
“[Embed in middle of survey to detect inattentive respondents]”
Reliability
Reported internal consistency: behavioural quality control. As a rule of thumb, Cronbach’s α ≥ .70 is considered acceptable, ≥ .80 good, and ≥ .90 excellent for established measures.
Notes
Standard data-quality control.
Source & citation
Oppenheimer, D. M., Meyvis, T., & Davidenko, N. (2009): Instructional manipulation checks: Detecting satisficing to increase statistical power. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, Vol. 45, No. 4, pp. 867–872.
Source. Scale details are summarised from the publication cited above. Always consult the original source for the full item set, scoring, and permission to use.
Use it in your research
Need to check the reliability or psychometrics of this scale in your own data? Use the free DrAIStudio research tools:
Cronbach’s alpha calculator
All statistical calculators
Search the full Scale Atlas
Academic writing humanizer