Statistical Factor Analysis and Related Methods Theory andApplications In bridging the gap between the mathematical andstatistical theory of factor analysis, this new work represents thefirst unified treatment of the theory and practice of factoranalysis and latent variable models. It focuses on such areasas: * The classical principal components model and sample-populationinference * Several extensions and modifications of principal components,including Q and three-mode analysis and principal components in thecomplex domain * Maximum likelihood and weighted factor models, factoridentification, factor rotation, and the estimation of factorscores * The use of factor models in conjunction with various types ofdata including time series, spatial data, rank orders, and nominalvariable * Applications of factor models to the estimation of functionalforms and to least squares of regression estimators

First Published in 1985. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

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.

This book provides a retrospective look at major developments as well as a prospective view of future directions in factor analysis. In so doing, it demonstrates how and why factor analysis is considered to be one of the methodological pillars of behavioral research. Featuring an outstanding collection of contributors, this volume offers unique insights on factor analysis and its related methods. The book reviews some of the extensions of factor analysis to such techniques as latent growth curve models, models for categorical data, and structural equation models. Intended for graduate students and researchers in the behavioral, social, health, and biological sciences who use this technique in their research, a basic knowledge of factor analysis is required and a working knowledge of linear algebra is helpful.

A firm knowledge of factor analysis is key to understanding much published research in the social and behavioral sciences. Exploratory Factor Analysis by W. Holmes Finch provides a solid foundation in exploratory factor analysis (EFA), which along with confirmatory factor analysis, represents one of the two major strands in this field. The book lays out the mathematical foundations of EFA; explores the range of methods for extracting the initial factor structure; explains factor rotation; and outlines the methods for determining the number of factors to retain in EFA. The concluding chapter addresses a number of other key issues in EFA, such as determining the appropriate sample size for a given research problem, and the handling of missing data. It also offers brief introductions to exploratory structural equation modeling, and multilevel models for EFA. Example computer code, and the annotated output for all of the examples included in the text are available on an accompanying website.

This accessible book has established itself as the go-to resource on confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for its emphasis on practical and conceptual aspects rather than mathematics or formulas. Detailed, worked-through examples drawn from psychology, management, and sociology studies illustrate the procedures, pitfalls, and extensions of CFA methodology. The text shows how to formulate, program, and interpret CFA models using popular latent variable software packages (LISREL, Mplus, EQS, SAS/CALIS); understand the similarities ...

Comprehensive and comprehensible, this classic text covers the basic and advanced topics essential for using factor analysis as a scientific tool in psychology, education, sociology, and related areas. Emphasizing the usefulness of the techniques, it presents sufficient mathematical background for understanding and applying its use. This includes the theory as well as the empirical evaluations. The overall goal is to show readers how to use factor analysis in their substantive research by highlighting when the differences in mathematical procedures have a major impact on the substantive conclusions, when the differences are not relevant, and when factor analysis might not be the best procedure to use. Although the original version was written years ago, the book maintains its relevance today by providing readers with a thorough understanding of the basic mathematical models so they can easily apply these models to their own research. Readers are presented with a very complete picture of the "inner workings" of these methods. The new Introduction highlights the remarkably few changes that the author would make if he were writing the book today. An ideal text for courses on factor analysis or as a supplement for multivariate analysis, structural equation modeling, or advanced quantitative techniques taught in psychology, education, and other social and behavioral sciences, researchers who use these techniques also appreciate this book’s thorough review of the basic models. Prerequisites include a graduate level course on statistics and a basic understanding of algebra. Sections with an asterisk can be skipped entirely if preferred.