Do Current Measures of Dimensions of Source Credibility Produce Stable Outcomes in Replicated Tests? 1

Abstract

Over a period of one year, data were obtained from four groups of university students to compare the stability of scores on the McCroskey and Jenson Source Credibility Scale and the Leathers Personal Credibility Scale in repeated tests. Using pre- and posttest scores, perceptions of President Clinton were obtained at four intersections while perceptions of Hillary Clinton, Jerry Brown, George Bush, and Ross Perot were obtained on a single date. The two scales used in the test yield approximate explanations of variance and coefficients a across the 16 analyses. The results suggest that current conceptualization and measurement of source credibility do not provide consistent dimensions on repeated tests.

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