Internal consistency refers to the degree to which different items or questions in a survey or test measure the same underlying concept. It is often assessed using statistical methods, such as Cronbach's alpha, which provides a coefficient indicating how closely related the items are. A high internal consistency suggests that the items are well-aligned and reliably measure the intended construct. This concept is crucial in fields like psychology and education, where assessments aim to evaluate specific traits or knowledge. Ensuring internal consistency helps researchers and educators trust that their tools accurately reflect the characteristics they intend to measure, leading to more valid conclusions.