Exam 19: Factor Analysis

If the goal of factor analysis is to reduce the original set of variables to a smaller set of composite variables for use in subsequent multivariate analysis, it is useful to _.

Interpretation is facilitated by identifying the variables that have small loadings on the same factor.

If interpreting factors using the rotated factor matrix, a negative coefficient for a negative variable (prevention of tooth decay is not important) would lead to a positive interpretation (prevention of tooth decay is important).

When selecting variables to serve as surrogate variables, you should look for the variable with the highest loading on a factor.

should be used when factors in the population are likely to be strongly correlated.

Percentage of variance accounted for, scree plot, and a priori determination are all procedures for determining the number of factors.

Factor analysis may not be appropriate in all of the following situations except .

is a class of procedures primarily used for data reduction and summarization.

The variables to be included in the factor analysis should be specified based on past research, theory, and the judgment of the researcher.

As a rough guideline, there should be at least times as many observations (sample size) as there are variables.