the degree of correlation between each test item in a set, used as a measure of the internal consistency of a test and thus of its reliability. For example, a participant’s responses to each item on a 10-item test could be correlated with his or her responses to every other item on the test to determine the extent to which the items reflect the same construct.
n. an inflammation of the pancreas, marked by severe abdominal pain and caused by biliary tract disorders (e.g., gallstones), alcoholism, viral infection, or reactions to certain drugs (e.g., some antipsychotic agents).