| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 951292 | Journal of Research in Personality | 2014 | 9 Pages |
•A meta-analysis summarized short-term test–retest correlations for the Big Five.•The median aggregated dependability estimate for the five traits was ρtt = .816.•Transient error accounted for about 10% of the observed variance in trait scores.•Shorter retest intervals resulted in more dependable scores for three traits.
Dependability coefficients such as test–retest correlations quantify transient error in test scores due to occasion-specific variations in, for example, current mood or feelings. The meta-analysis summarizes 682 test–retest correlations collected within an interval of up to two months from 74 samples (total N = 14,923) across different measures of the Big Five. The median aggregated dependability estimate for the five traits was ρtt = .816. Extraversion scales resulted in the most dependable scores, whereas agreeableness scales exhibited slightly larger measurement error. Transient error accounted for about 10% of the observed variance in scores of the Big Five. Meta-regression analyses indicated small moderation effects of the chosen retest interval for three traits, with shorter intervals resulting in higher retest correlations.
