Exam 1

  1. Metainformation

    Tag Value
    fileFactor-analysis_uu-factor-analysis-009-en_uu-factor-analysis-009-en
    nameuu-factor-analysis-009-en
    sectionFactor analysis
    typeschoice
    solutionFALSE, TRUE, FALSE, FALSE
    TypeConceptual
    LanguageEnglish
    LevelStatistical Literacy

    Question

    A factor analysis is performed on fifteen items designed to measure fear of St. Nicholas in children. Principal component analysis with oblimin rotation results in two statistically and substantively interesting dimensions. Factor A concerns fear of Sinterklaas and factor B concerns fear of Black Pete. Evaluate the following two statements on factor analysis.

    I. In general, factors with an Eigenvalue greater than 1 explain more test variance than an individual item. II. If an item (after rotation) has a high factor loading (|a| > .40) on factor A, factor A is strongly related to factor B.


    1. FALSE: I is correct, II is correct
    2. TRUE: I is true, II is false
    3. FALSE: I is not correct, II is correct
    4. FALSE: I is not right, II is not right

    Solution

    Theorem 1: Eigenvalue is calculated by:

    Thus, each item has a variance of 1.00. When a factor has an Eigenvalue >1.00, the factor explains more variance than an individual item.

    Theorem 2: The factor loading of one item on one of the factors says nothing about the correlation between the factors.