Despite the widespread use of exploratory factor analysis in psychological research, researchers often make questionable decisions when conducting these analyses. This article reviews the major design and analytical decisions that must be made when conducting a factor analysis and notes that each of these decisions has important consequences for the obtained results. Recommendations that have been made in the methodological literature are discussed. Analyses of 3 existing empirical data sets are used to illustrate how questionable decisions in conducting factor analyses can yield problematic results. The article presents a survey of 2 prominent journals that suggests that researchers routinely conduct analyses using such questionable methods. The implications of these practices for psychological research are discussed, and the reasons for current practices are reviewed.

/pdf/evaluating-the-use-of-exploratory-factor-analysis-in-4fpz0boat8.pdf

Evaluating the use of exploratory factor analysis in psychological research.

A theory is proposed to account for some of the age-related differences reported in measures of Type A or fluid cognition. The central hypothesis in the theory is that increased age in adulthood is associated with a decrease in the speed with which many processing operations can be executed and that this reduction in speed leads to impairments in cognitive functioning because of what are termed the limited time mechanism and the simultaneity mechanism. That is, cognitive performance is degraded when processing is slow because relevant operations cannot be successfully executed (limited time) and because the products of early processing may no longer be available when later processing is complete (simultaneity). Several types of evidence, such as the discovery of considerable shared age-related variance across various measures of speed and large attenuation of the age-related influences on cognitive measures after statistical control of measures of speed, are consistent with this theory.

http://www.anitacrawley.net/Resources/Articles/salthouse%20The%20Processing%20Speed%20Theory%20of%20Adult%20Age%20Differences%20in%20Cognition.pdf

The processing-speed theory of adult age differences in cognition.

Click on the arrow button to move the variable name into Chapter 4 Creating a data file and entering data 39 Step 2: Enter the data Spss survival. The SPSS Survival Manual throws a lifeline to students and researchers grappling with this data analysis software.In this thoroughly revised edition of her. Download PDF SPSS Survival Manual A step by step guide to data analysis using SPSS. SPSS SURVIVAL MANUAL. Are you come upon Spss Survival Manual? Great! We have the file you need: spss survival manual. The spss survival manual. To cite this article: Yeung, Polly. SPSS survival manual. A step by step guide to data analysis using IBM SPSS (5th ed) (Book Review) (online). Aotearoa New.

SPSS Survival Manual

A second generation little jiffy.

This investigation examined the influence of sample size on different goodness-of-fit indices used in confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The first two data sets were derived from large normative samples of responses to a multidimensional self-concept instrument and to a multidimensional instrument used to assess students' evaluations of teaching effectiveness. In the third set, data were simulated and generated according to the model to be tested. In the fourth, data were simulated and generated according to a three-factor model that did not have a simple structure. Twelve fit indicators were used to assess goodness-offit in all CFAs. All analyses were conducted with the LISREL V package. One-way ANOVAs and a visual inspection of graphs were used to assess the sample size effect on each index for the four data sets. Despite the inconsistency of the findings with previous claims, the results are consistent with the observation that the amount of random, unexplained variance varies inversely with sample size. Appendices include a set of computed statements, an explanation and listing of the 12 goodness-of-fit indicators, a bibliography, a table of results, and figures showing sample size effect. (Author/LMO) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ***********************************************************************

/pdf/goodness-of-fit-indexes-in-confirmatory-factor-analysis-the-2470twpiyo.pdf

Goodness-of-fit indexes in confirmatory factor analysis : The effect of sample size

It is suggested that if Guttman's latent-root-one lower bound estimate for the rank of a correlation matrix is accepted as a psychometric upper bound, following the proofs and arguments of Kaiser and Dickman, then the rank for a sample matrix should be estimated by subtracting out the component in the latent roots which can be attributed to sampling error, and least-squares “capitalization” on this error, in the calculation of the correlations and the roots. A procedure based on the generation of random variables is given for estimating the component which needs to be subtracted.

A rationale and test for the number of factors in factor analysis.

https://psycnet.apa.org/journals/edu/57/5/253.pdf

Refinement and test of the theory of fluid and crystallized general intelligences.

Age differences in fluid and crystallized intelligence.

Human cognitive capabilities: Gf-Gc theory.

The principal purpose of this chapter is to lay out some of the major results and conclusions of a series of studies conducted by this investigator and his coworkers (principally Donaldson, Engstrom, and Mason) over the last few years. To comprehend these results and conclusions it is necessary to have some appreciation of the theory and assumptions on which the research has been based. These ideas are not major themes in the research and theory of mainstream cognitive developmental psychology. It is probably worthwhile, therefore, to sketch at the outset some features of the research that is to be reviewed.

John L. Horn

Papers

A rationale and test for the number of factors in factor analysis.

Refinement and test of the theory of fluid and crystallized general intelligences.

Age differences in fluid and crystallized intelligence.

Human cognitive capabilities: Gf-Gc theory.

The Theory of Fluid and Crystallized Intelligence in Relation to Concepts of Cognitive Psychology and Aging in Adulthood