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Everything about Exploratory factor analysis

Statistical method in psychology

In multivariate statistics, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) is a statistical method used to uncover the underlying structure of a relatively large set of variables. EFA is a technique within factor analysis whose overarching goal is to identify the underlying relationships between measured variables. It is commonly used by researchers when developing a scale and serves to identify a set of latent constructs underlying a battery of measured variables. It should be used when the researcher has no a priori hypothesis about factors or patterns of measured variables. Measured variables are any one of several attributes of people that may be observed and measured. Examples of measured variables could be the physical height, weight, and pulse rate of a human being. Usually, researchers would have a large number of measured variables, which are assumed to be related to a smaller number of "unobserved" factors. Researchers must carefully consider the number of measured variables to include in the analysis. EFA procedures are more accurate when each factor is represented by multiple measured variables in the analysis. Wikipedia →

🧭 Start here: a 6-step reading path

  1. Read the overview: Exploratory factor analysisA 5-minute orientation
  2. Skim a recent paper: Best Practices for Your Exploratory Factor Analysis: A Factor TutorialInfluential work since 2022
  3. Pick up a classic book: Exploratory Factor AnalysisThe most-reprinted book on the subject
  4. Read the landmark paper: A Beginner’s Guide to Factor Analysis: Focusing on Exploratory Factor AnalysisCited 2,504 times
  5. Go sideways: Factor analysisA closely related topic
  6. Go sideways: Confirmatory factor analysisA closely related topic

đź“– Definitions

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🗂️ The subject at a glance

  1. Fitting procedures
  2. Selecting the appropriate number of factors
  3. Factor rotation
  4. Factor interpretation

🏆 Landmark papers (most cited)

🆕 Influential since 2022

đź“š Books worth reading

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đź”— Related topics