Internal consistency refers to the degree to which different items or questions within a test or survey measure the same underlying concept. It is often assessed using statistical methods, such as Cronbach's alpha, which provides a numerical value indicating how closely related the items are. A high internal consistency suggests that the items are well-aligned and reliably measure the same 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 practitioners trust that their tools accurately reflect the intended construct and produce valid results.