Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis: Understanding concepts and applications.

This volume presents the important concepts required for implementing two disciplines of factor analysis - exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with an emphasis on EFA/CFA linkages. Modern extensions of older data analysis methods (e.g., ANOVA, regression, MANOVA, and descriptive discriminant analysis) have brought theory-testing procedures to the analytic forefront. Variations of factor analysis, such as the factoring of people or time, have great potential to inform psychological research. Thompson deftly presents highly technical material in an appealing and accessible manner. The book is unique in that it presents both exploratory and confirmatory methods within the single category of the general linear model (GLM). Canons of best factor analytic practice are presented and explained. An actual data set, generated by 100 graduate students and 100 faculty from the United States and Canada, is used throughout the book, allowing readers to replicate reported results and explore variations on reported analyses. Different combinations of these variables and participants are used to illustrate EFA and CFA applications. The book also includes a glossary, a notation summary, and various SPSS syntax files that readers may use to implement elegant factor analytic solutions. Instructors or students who seek a clear and concise text about factor analysis will find this book to be an invaluable resource. This Book Presents The Important Concepts Required For Implementing Two Disciplines Of Factor Analysis -- Exploratory Factor Analysis (efa) And Confirmatory Factor Analysis (cfa) With An Emphasis On Efa/cfa Linkages. Modern Extensions Of Older Data Analysis Methods (e.g., Anova, Regression, Manova, And Descriptive Discriminant Analysis) Have Brought Theory-testing Procedures To The Analytic Forefront. Variations Of Factor Analysis, Such As The Factoring Of People Or Time, Have Great Potential To Inform Psychological Research. The Author Presents Highly Technical Material In An Appealing And Accessible Manner. The Book Is Unique In That It Presents Both Exploratory And Confirmatory Methods Within The Single Category Of The General Linear Model (glm). Canons Of Best Factor Analytic Practice Are Presented And Explained. An Actual Data Set, Generated By 100 Graduate Students And 100 Faculty From The United States And Canada, Is Used Throughout The Book, Allowing Readers To Replicate Reported Results And Explore Variations On Reported Analyses. Different Combinations Of These Variables And Participants Are Used To Illustrate Efa And Cfa Applications. The Book Also Includes A Glossary, A Notation Summary, And Various Spss Syntax Files That Readers May Use To Implement Elegant Factor Analytic Solutions. Preface -- Chap. 1. Introduction To Factor Analysis -- Chap. 2. Foundational Concepts -- Chap. 3. Efa Decision Sequence -- Chap. 4. Components Versus Factors Controversies -- Chap. 5. Comparisons Of Some Extraction, Rotation, And Score Methods -- Chap. 6. Oblique Rotations And Higher-order Factors -- Chap. 7. Six Two-mode Techniques -- Chap. 8. Confirmatory Rotation And Factor Interpretation Issues -- Chap. 9. Internal Replicability Analyses -- Chap. 10. Cfa Decision Sequence -- Chap. 11. Some Cfa Interpretation Principles -- Chap. 12. Testing Model Invariance -- Appendix A: Libqual+tm Data -- Appendix B: Spss Syntax To Execute A Best Fit Factor Rotation -- Notation -- Glossary -- References -- Index -- About The Author. Bruce Thompson. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 183-190). "Investigation of the structure underlying variables (or people, or time) has intrigued social scientists since the early origins of psychology. Conducting one's first factor analysis can yield a sense of awe regarding the power of these methods to inform judgment regarding the dimensions underlying constructs. This book presents the important concepts required for implementing two disciplines of factor analysis: exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The book may be unique in its effort to present both analyses within the single rubric of the general linear model. Throughout the book canons of best factor analytic practice are presented and explained. The book has been written to strike a happy medium between accuracy and completeness versus overwhelming technical complexity. An actual data set, randomly drawn from a large-scale international study involving faculty and graduate student perceptions of academic libraries, is presented in Appendix A. Throughout the book different combinations of these variables and participants are used to illustrate EFA and CFA applications"--Preface. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2005 APA, all rights reserved) "This volume presents the important concepts required for implementing two disciplines of factor analysis - exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) - with an emphasis on EFA-CFA linkages. Modern extensions of older data analysis methods (e.g. analysis of variance, regression, multivariate analysis of variance, and descriptive discriminant analysis) have brought theory-testing procedures to the analytic forefornt. Variations of factor analysis, such as the factoring of people or time, have great potential to inform psychological research." "Instructors or students who seek a clear and concise test about factor analysis will find this book to be an invaluable resource."--BOOK JACKET. 01......Page 1 2004-13115-001......Page 9 2004-13115-002......Page 14 2004-13115-003......Page 29 2004-13115-004......Page 51 2004-13115-005......Page 59 2004-13115-006......Page 68 2004-13115-007......Page 83 2004-13115-008......Page 90 2004-13115-009......Page 96 2004-13115-010......Page 106 2004-13115-011......Page 130 2004-13115-012......Page 147 200413115-bkm......Page 157