Factor Analysis: Statistical Methods and Practical Issues

by Jae-On Kim, Charles W. Mueller

Describes various commonly used methods of initial factoring and factor rotation. In addition to a full discussion of exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and various methods of constructing factor scales are also presented.

88 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1978

Reviews

[Steven Peterson]

A brief SAGE publication that provides a lucid introduction to the statistical technique of factor analysis. This is a classic data reduction technique, where one takes numerous variables and then explores the extent to which these can be reduced to a small number of factors underlying the complete complement of variables. Want to know about a Scree plot? See page 45 for a nice illustration. Measures of fit are discussed; methods of rotation are covered. There is even a discussion of confirmatory (as opposed to exploratory) factor analysis. A nice resource, albeit brief.