Question 1

For what two purposes can exploratory factor analysis be used?

Accepted Answer

Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) can be

Question 2

A latent variable is

Accepted Answer

A)  another term for a measured or observed variable. 
B)  the square of a variable's loading on a factor in exploratory factor analysis. 
C)  a variable that is not directly measured but which is estimated statistically from scores on measured variables. 
D)  an index of goodness of fit used in confirmatory factory analysis. 
A)  another term for a measured or observed variable. 
B)  the square of a variable's loading on a factor in exploratory factor analysis. 
C)  a variable that is not directly measured but which is estimated statistically from scores on measured variables. 
D)  an index of goodness of fit used in confirmatory factory analysis.

Question 3

If your goal is to condense scores on a large number of dependent measures into a smaller set of variables in order to simply data analysis, the best approach to take is

Accepted Answer

A)  principle components analysis. 
B)  common factors analysis. 
C)  confirmatory factor analysis. 
D)  parallel analysis. 
A)  principle components analysis. 
B)  common factors analysis. 
C)  confirmatory factor analysis. 
D)  parallel analysis.

Question 4

Explain how a confirmatory factor analysis can be used to test theoretical hypotheses.

Accepted Answer

Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) is a

Question 5

Explain how a confirmatory factor analysis can be used to test the generalizability of a measure.

Accepted Answer

Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) can b

Question 6

What is factor extraction? What determines the order in which factors are extracted in an exploratory factor analysis?

Accepted Answer

Factor extraction is a statistical metho

Question 7

In factor analysis, a factor is

Accepted Answer

A)  another term for independent variable. 
B)  equivalent to a predictor variable in multiple regression analysis. 
C)  a dimension that underlies a set of inter-correlated variables. 
D)  a manifest variable used to organize scores on a set of inter-correlated variables. 
A)  another term for independent variable. 
B)  equivalent to a predictor variable in multiple regression analysis. 
C)  a dimension that underlies a set of inter-correlated variables. 
D)  a manifest variable used to organize scores on a set of inter-correlated variables.

Question 8

Describe a research study that could be analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Accepted Answer

A research study that could be analyzed

Question 9

Which of the following statements about testing mediational models is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

A)  The techniques available for testing mediational models cannot be used when one or more of the variables involved is manipulated experimentally. 
B)  The causal steps approach is best suited for simple, three-variable mediational models. 
C)  Path analysis can be used to test mediational models involving more than three variables. 
D)  Structural equation modeling is a technique for testing mediational models using latent variables. 
A)  The techniques available for testing mediational models cannot be used when one or more of the variables involved is manipulated experimentally. 
B)  The causal steps approach is best suited for simple, three-variable mediational models. 
C)  Path analysis can be used to test mediational models involving more than three variables. 
D)  Structural equation modeling is a technique for testing mediational models using latent variables.

Question 10

Which of the following statements about orthogonal rotation in exploratory factor analysis is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A)  Although orthogonal rotation is a classic technique, it is rarely used any more. 
B)  Orthogonal rotation creates a set of factors that can be correlated with one another if that is consistent with the data. 
C)  Orthogonal rotation is best used when there are very few strong correlations in the data set. 
D)  Orthogonal rotation creates a set of factors that are uncorrelated with one another. 
A)  Although orthogonal rotation is a classic technique, it is rarely used any more. 
B)  Orthogonal rotation creates a set of factors that can be correlated with one another if that is consistent with the data. 
C)  Orthogonal rotation is best used when there are very few strong correlations in the data set. 
D)  Orthogonal rotation creates a set of factors that are uncorrelated with one another.

Question 11

Exploratory factor analysis can be used to

Accepted Answer

A)  summarize the pattern of correlations among a set of variables. 
B)  condense a large number of variables into a few variables to simplify data analysis. 
C)  examine the structural validity of a new measure. 
D)  do all of the above. 
A)  summarize the pattern of correlations among a set of variables. 
B)  condense a large number of variables into a few variables to simplify data analysis. 
C)  examine the structural validity of a new measure. 
D)  do all of the above.

Question 12

Parallel analysis is used to

Accepted Answer

A)  determine the appropriate number of factors to interpret. 
B)  determine the order in which factors should be extracted. 
C)  calculate the correlations between extracted factors. 
D)  calculate factor scores. 
A)  determine the appropriate number of factors to interpret. 
B)  determine the order in which factors should be extracted. 
C)  calculate the correlations between extracted factors. 
D)  calculate factor scores.

Question 13

Describe how the causal steps strategy can be used to test mediational hypotheses.

Accepted Answer

The causal steps strategy is a method us

Question 14

Explain why omitting relevant variables from a path analysis or structural equation model can be problematic.

Accepted Answer

Omitting relevant variables from a path

Question 15

In exploratory factor analysis, factor rotation

Accepted Answer

A)  determines the number of factors to be interpreted. 
B)  creates an initial set of factors from the raw data. 
C)  clarifies the content of factors following factor extraction. 
D)  identifies and eliminates outliers from the data set. 
A)  determines the number of factors to be interpreted. 
B)  creates an initial set of factors from the raw data. 
C)  clarifies the content of factors following factor extraction. 
D)  identifies and eliminates outliers from the data set.

Question 16

List two threats to the validity of correlational research that also can threaten the validity of the results of an exploratory factor analysis.

Accepted Answer

Two threats to the validity of correlati

Question 17

What are factor eigenvalues and how are they interpreted?

Accepted Answer

Factor eigenvalues are a concept used in

Question 18

Describe a study that would be analyzed using exploratory factor analysis. What would the goals of that analysis be?

Accepted Answer

A study that would be analyzed using exp

Question 19

In confirmatory factor analysis, the researcher

Accepted Answer

A)  hypothesizes which dimensions the items in a set will load on and uses statistical analyses to test that hypothesis. 
B)  examines a set of item scores to see what dimensions underlie the items and which items load on which dimensions. 
C)  conducts a study with two independent variables to test the hypothesis that one independent variable moderates the effects of the other. 
D)  examines a set of independent variables to determine which of those variables best predict one or more dependent variables. 
A)  hypothesizes which dimensions the items in a set will load on and uses statistical analyses to test that hypothesis. 
B)  examines a set of item scores to see what dimensions underlie the items and which items load on which dimensions. 
C)  conducts a study with two independent variables to test the hypothesis that one independent variable moderates the effects of the other. 
D)  examines a set of independent variables to determine which of those variables best predict one or more dependent variables.

Question 20

Which of the following statements about factor loadings in exploratory factor analysis is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A)  Lower factor load?ings indicate items with stronger associations with the factor. 
B)  Parallel analysis is a statistical technique for determining which factor loadings are meaningful. 
C)  Factor loadings represent the correlation of each item with the underlying factor. 
D)  Negative factor loadings indicate a problem with the factorability of the data set. 
A)  Lower factor load?ings indicate items with stronger associations with the factor. 
B)  Parallel analysis is a statistical technique for determining which factor loadings are meaningful. 
C)  Factor loadings represent the correlation of each item with the underlying factor. 
D)  Negative factor loadings indicate a problem with the factorability of the data set.

For what two purposes can exploratory factor analysis be used?

A latent variable is

If your goal is to condense scores on a large number of dependent measures into a smaller set of variables in order to simply data analysis, the best approach to take is

Explain how a confirmatory factor analysis can be used to test theoretical hypotheses.

Explain how a confirmatory factor analysis can be used to test the generalizability of a measure.

What is factor extraction? What determines the order in which factors are extracted in an exploratory factor analysis?

In factor analysis, a factor is

Describe a research study that could be analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Which of the following statements about testing mediational models is FALSE?

Which of the following statements about orthogonal rotation in exploratory factor analysis is TRUE?

Exploratory factor analysis can be used to

Parallel analysis is used to

Describe how the causal steps strategy can be used to test mediational hypotheses.

Explain why omitting relevant variables from a path analysis or structural equation model can be problematic.

In exploratory factor analysis, factor rotation

List two threats to the validity of correlational research that also can threaten the validity of the results of an exploratory factor analysis.

What are factor eigenvalues and how are they interpreted?

Describe a study that would be analyzed using exploratory factor analysis. What would the goals of that analysis be?

In confirmatory factor analysis, the researcher

Which of the following statements about factor loadings in exploratory factor analysis is TRUE?

Behavioral Science

Research Strategies: an Overview

The Ethical Treatment of Research Participants

The Professional and Social Responsibilities of Scientists

Formulating a Research Question

Developing a Measurement Strategy

The Internal Validity of Research

The External Validity of Research

True Experiments

Field Research

Correlational Designs

The Single-Case Research Strategy

Qualitative Research and Interviewing, Rachel Kraus, Ball State University

Survey Research

Evaluation Research

Data Collection

Interpreting Research Results

Literature Reviewing

Filters

Exam 12: Factor Analysis, Path Analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling

For what two purposes can exploratory factor analysis be used?

A latent variable is

If your goal is to condense scores on a large number of dependent measures into a smaller set of variables in order to simply data analysis, the best approach to take is

Explain how a confirmatory factor analysis can be used to test theoretical hypotheses.

Explain how a confirmatory factor analysis can be used to test the generalizability of a measure.

What is factor extraction? What determines the order in which factors are extracted in an exploratory factor analysis?

In factor analysis, a factor is

Describe a research study that could be analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Which of the following statements about testing mediational models is FALSE?

Which of the following statements about orthogonal rotation in exploratory factor analysis is TRUE?

Exploratory factor analysis can be used to

Parallel analysis is used to

Describe how the causal steps strategy can be used to test mediational hypotheses.

Explain why omitting relevant variables from a path analysis or structural equation model can be problematic.

In exploratory factor analysis, factor rotation

List two threats to the validity of correlational research that also can threaten the validity of the results of an exploratory factor analysis.

What are factor eigenvalues and how are they interpreted?

Describe a study that would be analyzed using exploratory factor analysis. What would the goals of that analysis be?

In confirmatory factor analysis, the researcher

Which of the following statements about factor loadings in exploratory factor analysis is TRUE?

Behavioral Science

Research Strategies: an Overview

The Ethical Treatment of Research Participants

The Professional and Social Responsibilities of Scientists

Formulating a Research Question

Developing a Measurement Strategy

The Internal Validity of Research

The External Validity of Research

True Experiments

Field Research

Correlational Designs

The Single-Case Research Strategy

Qualitative Research and Interviewing, Rachel Kraus, Ball State University

Survey Research

Evaluation Research

Data Collection

Interpreting Research Results

Literature Reviewing

Filters