Use and Interpretation of Factor Analysis in The Journal of Educational Research: 1992-2002

The author reviewed the use and interpretation of factor analysis in articles published in The Journal of Educational Research articles from 1992 to 2002. He found all major forms of factor analysis among the 25 articles that he reviewed. Exploratory factor analysis was the most common application that he found. He noted only 3 applications of confirmatory factor analysis. In general, the author found that the analyses were performed appropriately and the results were presented informatively. In some studies, however, he found that the authors did not provide sufficient information about their analyses for readers to evaluate the results. The author provides a brief introduction to factor analysis history and models, along with an illustration of an exploratory factor analysis. He offers recommendations for the appropriate reporting and interpretation of a factor analysis.