Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Universal Nonverbal Intelligence Test–Second Edition: Testing Dimensionality and Invariance Across Age, Gender, Race, and Ethnicity

Assessment ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 996-1006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Benson ◽  
John H. Kranzler ◽  
Randy G. Floyd

This study examined key assumptions underlying the interpretation of one of the most widely used multidimensional nonverbal tests of intelligence, the Universal Nonverbal Intelligence Test–Second Edition (UNIT2). Specifically, we examined the dimensionality of the UNIT2 and the interpretive relevance of its factors. We also examined the invariance of constructs measured by the UNIT2 across age groups, gender, race, and ethnicity. Structural analyses were conducted using data from 1,802 individuals aged 5 to 21 years who participated in the norming of the UNIT2. Results indicate that the UNIT2 is primarily a measure of psychometric g. Tests of invariance indicate that the factors measured by the UNIT2 are calibrated differently across age, gender, and racial groups. The Memory, Quantitative, and Reasoning factors represent psychometric g quite well. However, there is insufficient unique, reliable variance for the interpretation of the index scores reflecting the Memory, Quantitative, and Reasoning factors. Based on the results of this study, we question whether the administration of multidimensional nonverbal tests of intelligence is worth the time and effort when unidimensional tests may provide the same information.

2009 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elliot M. Tucker-Drob ◽  
Timothy A. Salthouse

Although factor analysis is the most commonly-used method for examining the structure of cognitive variable interrelations, multidimensional scaling (MDS) can provide visual representations highlighting the continuous nature of interrelations among variables. Using data ( N = 8,813; ages 17—97 years) aggregated across 38 separate studies, MDS was applied to 16 cognitive variables representative of five well-established cognitive abilities. Parallel to confirmatory factor analytic solutions, and consistent with past MDS applications, the results for young (18—39 years), middle (40—65 years), and old (66—97 years) adult age groups consistently revealed a two-dimensional radex disk, with variables from fluid reasoning tests located at the center. Using a new method, target measures hypothesized to reflect three aspects of cognitive control ( updating, storage-plus-processing, and executive functioning) were projected onto the radex disk. Parallel to factor analytic results, these variables were also found to be centrally located in the cognitive ability space. The advantages and limitations of the radex representation are discussed.


2021 ◽  
pp. 001100002110463
Author(s):  
Annabelle L. Atkin ◽  
N. Keita Christophe ◽  
Hyung Chol Yoo ◽  
Abigail K. Gabriel ◽  
Christine S. Wu ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to develop a measure of familial support of Multiracial individuals’ unique racial experiences to advance the field’s understanding of how familial processes influence Multiracial development. A sample of 422 Multiracial college students (77.7% female, Mage = 20.05) from three different regions of the United States completed the survey. Exploratory factor analysis results suggested a two-factor measure. Multiracial Conscious Support, a 15-item subscale, represented support strategies unique to Multiracial individuals’ experiences of discrimination and identity exploration. The second 7-item subscale, Multiple Heritage Validation, represented validation of membership in multiple racial groups. The factor structure was supported by confirmatory factor analysis findings with a separate sample. Support was found for the reliability and validity of each subscale. This study provides evidence validating the first measure of familial support of Multiracial experiences, highlighting two themes of support addressing unique experiences of being Multiracial, and validating multiple racial group memberships.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanley W. Wanjala ◽  
Derrick Ssewanyana ◽  
Patrick N. Mwangala ◽  
Carophine Nasambu ◽  
Esther Chongwo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background There is a dearth of instruments that have been developed and validated for use with children living with HIV under the age of 17 years in the Kenyan context. We examined the psychometric properties and measurement invariance of a short version of the Berger HIV stigma scale administered to perinatally HIV-infected adolescents in a rural setting on the Kenyan coast. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 201 perinatally HIV-infected adolescents aged 12–17 years between November 2017 and October 2018. A short version of the Berger HIV stigma scale (HSS-40) containing twelve items (HSS-12) covering the four dimensions of stigma was evaluated. The psychometric assessment included exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and multi-group CFA. Additionally, scale reliability was evaluated as internal consistency by calculating Cronbach’s alpha. Results Evaluation of the reliability and construct validity of the HSS-12 indicated insufficient reliability on three of the four subscales. Consequently, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was conducted to identify problematic items and determine ways to enhance the scale’s reliability. Based on the EFA results, two items were dropped. The Swahili version of this new 10-item HIV stigma scale (HSS-10) demonstrated excellent internal consistency with a Cronbach alpha of 0.86 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.84–0.89). Confirmatory Factor Analysis indicated that a unidimensional model best fitted the data. The HSS-10 presented a good fit (overall Comparative Fit Index = 0.976, Tucker Lewis Index = 0.969, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.040, Standardised Root Mean Residual = 0.045). Additionally, multi-group CFA indicated measurement invariance across gender and age groups at the strict invariance level as ΔCFI was ≤ 0.01. Conclusion Our findings indicate that the HSS-10 has good psychometric properties and is appropriate for evaluating HIV stigma among perinatally HIV-infected adolescents on the Kenyan coast. Further, study results support the unidimensional model and measurement invariance across gender and age groups of the HSS-10 measure.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maike Luhmann ◽  
Elizabeth A. Necka ◽  
Felix D. Schönbrodt ◽  
Louise Hawkley

Recent studies suggest that valuing happiness is negatively associated with well-being. Most of these studies used the Valuing Happiness Scale (Mauss, Tamir, et al., 2011). In the present paper, we examined the factor structure of this scale using data pooled from six independent samples (Ntotal = 938). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis showed that the Valuing Happiness Scale is not unidimensional and that only one of its three factors correlates negatively with various indicators of well-being, whereas non-significant or positive correlations were found for the other factors. These findings indicate that valuing happiness may not necessarily be bad for one’s well-being, and call for a better definition, theoretical foundation, and operationalization of this construct.


2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 441-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael A. Lawson ◽  
Tania Alameda-Lawson ◽  
Edward Byrnes

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the construct and predictive validity of the Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory (AAPI-2). Methods: The validity of the AAPI-2 was evaluated using multiple statistical methods, including exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and latent class analysis. These analyses were conducted using data collected from a culturally diverse sample of 2,160 low-income parents. Results: Although the AAPI-2 yielded high reliability coefficients, analyses of the instrument’s validity diverged significantly from the results reported by the instrument’s developers. Specifically, the instruments’ reported five-factor structure was not supported in this study. Moreover, parents’ AAPI-2 scores were not associated with child abuse as originally hypothesized. However, when the AAPI-2 was analyzed as a categorical latent variable, the results were useful in identifying parents who were unlikely to abuse or neglect their children. Conclusion: Further replication and extension research on the AAPI-2 with other low-income populations is warranted.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haruna Babatunde Jaiyeoba ◽  
Abideen Adeyemi Adewale ◽  
Mahmud Oluwaseyi Quadry

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of Islamic banks’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) using data collected from stakeholders in Malaysia. While Islamic scholars have developed the Islamic CSR from the Qur’anic verses, the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) and from the western ideologies, the focus of this paper is to assess the effectiveness of the developed Islamic CSR practices. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative research design was adopted for this study. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and other analyses are performed on the data collected from 193 stakeholders in Malaysia. Findings Based on the data collected and analyzed, the results show that stakeholders view the Malaysian Islamic banks’ CSRs as effective. Research limitations/implications This study investigates the effectiveness of Malaysian Islamic banks’ CSR based on the survey data collected. However, future studies could explore this in greater depth using mixed methods. Practical implications The research findings have great implications for researchers. Since this study is among the few research studies that investigate the effectiveness of Islamic CSR, the researchers have paved ways for further investigation in this area. In addition, the study encourages the Malaysian Islamic banks and other Islamic financial institutions to contribute more to the society. Originality/value The study examines the effectiveness of Islamic banks’ CSR and contributes to the growing discussions on the Islamic CSR. The study has opened up this area for further investigations by other researchers.


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