scholarly journals Estimating the Number of Factors in Exploratory Factor Analysis via out-of-sample Prediction Errors

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonas M B Haslbeck ◽  
Riet van Bork

Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) is one of the most popular statistical models in psychological science. A key problem in EFA is to estimate the number of factors. In this paper, we present a new method for estimating the number of factors based on minimizing the out-of-sample prediction error of candidate factor models. We show in an extensive simulation study that our method slightly outperforms existing methods, including parallel analysis, the BIC, and Exploratory Graph Analysis. In addition, we show that among the high performance method our method is the one that is most robust across different specifications of the true factor model. We provide an implementation of our method in the R-package fspe.

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 494-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramendra Pratap Singh ◽  
Neelotpaul Banerjee

This study tries to explore the factors contributing to the source credibility of celebrities as brand endorsers and, subsequently, develops a conceptually integrated scale for the same in Indian perspective. To conduct an empirical investigation, a survey is conducted consisting of 432 participants. In this study, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) followed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) has been con-ducted. Exploratory factor analysis resulted in three factors or dimensions. All the indicators are strongly loaded into their respective construct. The Cronbach’s alpha, composite factor reliability and variance extracted measure for validity checks are found to be satisfactory. All pairs of inter-construct correlation are found to be positive and significant. The issue of multicollinearity did not bear a serious threat to the data. Common method effect of Harmen’s one-factor post hoc test result indicates that multidimensional three-factor model fits the data well than the one-factor model. These results are also invariant across different demographic profiles, namely, gender, educational qualification and age.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xi Chen ◽  
Wen Liu

Objective. The Dental Activities Test (DAT) was developed to be used by dental, nursing, and other health professionals to assess the ability of persons with dementia to perform oral health-related activities and aid care planning. The instrument was designed as a unitary scale and has excellent internal consistency, test-retest reliability, interrater reliability, and construct validity. This study examines the underlying factor structure of the DAT among older adults in assisted living settings. Methods. In a secondary analysis of the data from the original study, the results of testing of 90 older adults with normal to severely impaired cognition from three assisted living communities in North Carolina from March 2013 to February 2014 were studied. An exploratory factor analysis was used to assess the dimensionality of the presumed unitary assessment scale. Results. Two-factor structures were explored. A one-factor model demonstrated acceptably mixed model fit, and a two-factor model had good model fit with moderate correlation between the two factors (r=0.667, p<0.05). All the items in the one-factor model demonstrated significant factor loadings (loadings ≥ 0.39, all p<0.05), while the loadings of some items in the two-factor model (nonsignificant or cross-loadings, loadings < 0.40) did not meet the criteria of factor selection. The one-factor structure was preferred based on the criteria of Scree Plot, eigenvalue, and factor interpretability in relation to clinical relevance. Conclusions. The study provided preliminary evidence that the Dental Activities Test has a unidimensional construct among older adults with cognitive impairment. It suggested that this instrument can be used as a unitary scale to assess dental-related function in persons with dementia. Future testing, including using a confirmatory factor analysis, in a new sample is needed to further assess the usefulness and psychometric properties of this instrument.


Author(s):  
Sarah Beale ◽  
Silia Vitoratou ◽  
Sheena Liness

Abstract Background: Effective monitoring of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) competence depends on psychometrically robust assessment methods. While the UK Cognitive Therapy Scale – Revised (CTS-R; Blackburn et al., 2001) has become a widely used competence measure in CBT training, practice and research, its underlying factor structure has never been investigated. Aims: This study aimed to present the first investigation into the factor structure of the CTS-R based on a large sample of postgraduate CBT trainee recordings. Method: Trainees (n = 382) provided 746 mid-treatment audio recordings for depression (n = 373) and anxiety (n = 373) cases scored on the CTS-R by expert markers. Tapes were split into two equal samples counterbalanced by diagnosis and with one tape per trainee. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted. The suggested factor structure and a widely used theoretical two-factor model were tested with confirmatory factor analysis. Measurement invariance was assessed by diagnostic group (depression versus anxiety). Results: Exploratory factor analysis suggested a single-factor solution (98.68% explained variance), which was supported by confirmatory factor analysis. All 12 CTS-R items were found to contribute to this single factor. The univariate model demonstrated full metric invariance and partial scalar invariance by diagnosis, with one item (item 10 – Conceptual Integration) demonstrating scalar non-invariance. Conclusions: Findings indicate that the CTS-R is a robust homogenous measure and do not support division into the widely used theoretical generic versus CBT-specific competency subscales. Investigation into the CTS-R factor structure in other populations is warranted.


Author(s):  
Gabriela Alejandra Grover-Baltazar ◽  
Gabriela Macedo-Ojeda ◽  
Ana Sandoval-Rodríguez ◽  
Marianne Martínez-Vizmanos ◽  
Lucrecia Carrera-Quintanar ◽  
...  

Positive attitudes towards breastfeeding in health professionals/students have been associated with increasing their confidence to provide support and accompaniment to mothers. In Mexico, there is no valid/reliable tool to assess attitudes towards breastfeeding in this population. The Australian Breastfeeding Attitudes (and Knowledge) Questionnaire (ABAQ) measures attitudes in the Australian population. We aimed to adapt and validate the ABAQ in Mexican health students. We included 264 health students (nursing, nutrition, and medicine) from the University of Guadalajara. Bilingual translators carried out the Spanish adaptation with a reverse translation into English. Experts evaluated the content validity. Reliability was evaluated through an internal consistency analysis (Cronbach’s alpha) and construct validity through convergent–divergent validation, item–total correlation, exploratory factor analysis (by principal components), and confirmatory factor analysis. According to the exploratory factor analysis, only one component was identified. Seven items were removed (low correlation between items ≤0.2 and low factor load ≤0.3). The Cronbach’s alpha was 0.78. According to the confirmatory factor analysis, the one-factor solution of the ABAQ-13Mx showed a good model fit (X2 = 98.41, G = 62, p = 0.02, CFI = 0.940, and RMSEA = 0.048). The ABAQ-13Mx is a reliable and valid instrument for evaluating attitudes towards breastfeeding in Mexican health degree students.


2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (311) ◽  
Author(s):  
Piotr Tarka

Abstract: The objective article is the comparative analysis of Likert rating scale based on the following range of response categories, i.e. 5, 7, 9 and 11 in context of the appropriate process of factors extraction in exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The problem which is being addressed in article relates primarily to the methodological aspects, both in selection of the optimal number of response categories of the measured items (constituting the Likert scale) and identification of possible changes, differences or similarities associated (as a result of the impact of four types of scales) with extraction and determination the appropriate number of factors in EFA model.Keywords: Exploratory factor analysis, Likert scale, experiment research, marketing


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denisse Lizette Valdivieso Portilla ◽  
Angélica Gonzalez Rosero ◽  
Geovanny Alvarado-Villa ◽  
Jorge Moncayo-Rizzo

In recent years, a new factor for work stress has been studied along with stress as an offense to self-theory. Illegitimate tasks refer to assignments that are unnecessary or are not related to the employee’s role. Because of this, the Bern Illegitimate Tasks Scale was developed, which measures illegitimate tasks in terms of unreasonable tasks and unnecessary tasks. There are no studies in Latin America on illegitimate tasks, so the purpose of this research is to translate and validate the Bern Illegitimate Tasks Scale. The study was performed with a sample of nursing staff from a hospital in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Written informed consent was obtained from each of the participants. The reliability of the questionnaire was evaluated and its structural validity was verified by exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. The internal consistency of the whole scale, measured by Cronbach’s alpha, was 0.857. Moreover, the unnecessary and unreasonable subscales measure were 0.846 and 0.841, respectively. The exploratory factor analysis supported a two-factor model that explained 73.96% of the variance. Additionally, the confirmatory factor analysis showed good indexes of fit (GFI = 0.915, CFI = 0.955, TLI = 0.933, SRMR = 0.084, and RMSEA = 0.087). The Spanish version of the Bern Illegitimate Tasks Scale presents good psychometric properties and can be applied to nurses in the Ecuadorian population.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 2482-2493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catarina Fischer Grönlund ◽  
Anna Söderberg ◽  
Vera Dahlqvist ◽  
Lars Andersson ◽  
Ulf Isaksson

Background: An ethical climate has been described as a working climate embracing shared perceptions about morally correct behaviour concerning ethical issues. Various ethical climate questionnaires have been developed and validated for different contexts, but no questionnaire has been found concerning the ethical climate from an inter-professional perspective in a healthcare context. The Swedish Ethical Climate Questionnaire, based on Habermas’ four requirements for a democratic dialogue, attempts to assess and measure the ethical climate at various inter-professional workplaces. This study aimed to present the construction of and to test the psychometric properties of the Swedish Ethical Climate Questionnaire. Method: An expert group of six researchers, skilled in ethics, evaluated the content validity. The questionnaire was tested among 355 healthcare workers at three hospitals in Sweden. A parallel analysis (PA), an exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were performed. Ethical considerations: The participants included in the psychometric analysis were informed about the study, asked to participate in person and informed that they could withdraw at any time without giving any reason. They were also assured of confidentiality in the reporting of the results. Findings: The parallel analysis (PA) recommended one factor as a solution. The initial exploratory factor analysis with a four-factor solution showed low concordance with a four-factor model. Cronbach’s alpha varied from 0.75 to 0.82; however, since two factors only consisted of one item, alpha could not be reported. Cronbach’s alpha for the entire scale showed good homogeneity (α = 0.86). A confirmatory factory analysis was carried out based on the four requirements and showed a goodness-of-fit after deleting two items. After deletion of these items, Cronbach’s alpha was 0.82. Discussion: Based on the exploratory factor analysis, we suggest that the scale should be treated as a one-factor model. The result indicates that the instrument is unidimensional and assesses ethical climate as a whole. Conclusion: After testing the Swedish Ethical Climate Questionnaire, we found support for the validity and reliability of the instrument. We found the 10-item version of Swedish Ethical Climate Questionnaire satisfactory. However, we found no support for measuring different dimensions and, therefore, this instrument should be seen as assessing ethical climate as of whole.


2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Acácia Aparecida Angeli dos SANTOS ◽  
Thatiana Helena de LIMA

Abstract The objective of this study is to investigate the evidence of construct validity of a phonological awareness instrument. Exploratory factor analysis was carried out on data collected from 510 elementary and middle school students in 2nd and 6th grades attending two different public schools in the city of São Paulo, Brazil; most were males with mean age of 8.4 years. Confirmatory factor analysis was carried out on data collected from 427 students from other four Brazilian states in the same grades; most were females with mean age of 9.3 years. The instrument used was the Roteiro de Avaliação da Consciência Fonológica, a phonological awareness test. The exploratory factor analysis showed a three-factor solution. As for the confirmatory factor analysis, of the two models tested, the one that indicated better model fit indices was composed of three factors. The model found is adequate for the task carried out in this study. However, more studies should be carried out to further refine the instrument.


1998 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 783-793 ◽  
Author(s):  
Augustine Osman ◽  
Peter M. Gutierrez ◽  
Beverly A. Kopper ◽  
Francisco X. Barrios ◽  
Christine E. Chiros

We conducted two studies to develop and validate a brief self-report measure for assessing the frequency of positive and negative thoughts related to suicidal behavior Items on this new measure, the Positive and Negative Suicide Ideation inventory, were generated by undergraduates. In Study 1, we administered a 20-item version of the inventory to 150 male and 300 female undergraduates and conducted an exploratory principal axis factor analysis with varimax rotation. Two factors, Positive Ideation and Negative Ideation, were retained. In Study 2, we conducted a confirmatory factor analysis to validate the fit of the one-factor and the oblique two-factor models to data from another sample of 84 men and 202 women. The oblique two-factor model provided an excellent fit to the sample data. We also examined preliminary evidence of concurrent and predictive validity. Over-all, these findings suggested that the inventory is a well-developed self-report measure for assessing the frequency of positive and negative thoughts related to suicidal behavior.


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