Replication Analysis in Exploratory Factor Analysis: What It Is and Why It Makes Your Analysis Better

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Replication Analysis in Exploratory Factor Analysis: What It Is and Why It Makes Your Analysis Better
Language: English
Authors: Osborne, Jason W., Fitzpatrick, David C.
Source: Practical Assessment, Research & Evaluation. Nov 2012 17(15).
Availability: Center for Educational Assessment. 813 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01002. e-mail: pare@umass.edu; Tel: 413-577-2180; Web site: https://scholarworks.umass.edu/pare
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 8
Publication Date: 2012
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Evaluative
Tests/Questionnaires
Descriptors: Factor Analysis, Replication (Evaluation), Reliability, Factor Structure, Questionnaires
ISSN: 1531-7714
Abstract: Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) is a powerful and commonly-used tool for investigating the underlying variable structure of a psychometric instrument. However, there is much controversy in the social sciences with regard to the techniques used in EFA (Ford, MacCallum, & Tait, 1986; Henson & Roberts, 2006) and the reliability of the outcome. Simulations by Costello and Osborne (2005), for example, demonstrate how poorly some EFA analyses replicate, even with clear underlying factor structures and large samples. Thus, we argue that researchers should routinely examine the stability or volatility of their EFA solutions to gain more insight into the robustness of their solutions and insight into how to improve their instruments while still at the exploratory stage of development. (Contains 4 tables and 3 footnotes.)
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2013
Accession Number: EJ990689
Database: ERIC
Be the first to leave a comment!
You must be logged in first