Daniel Kasper|Ali Ünlü
On the Relevance of Assumptions Associated with Classical Factor Analytic Approaches†
Technical University of Munich|Dominion (United States)|Old Dominion University|Concordia University|Technical University of Munich|Dominion (United States)|Old Dominion University|Concordia University
personal trait example persons cognitive ability represents theoretical concept postulated explain behaviorinteresting constructs latent cannot observedlatent variable modeling constitutes methodology deal hypothetical constructsconstructs modeled random variables become components statistical modelas random variables possess probability distribution population referencein applications distribution typically assumed normal distributionthe normality assumption may reasonable many cases situations cannot justifiedfor example true criterionreferenced tests background characteristics students large scale assessment studiesnevertheless normal procedures combination classical factor analytic methods frequently pursued despite effects violating implicit assumption clear generalin simulation study investigate whether classical factor analytic approaches instrumental estimating factorial structure properties population distribution latent personal trait educational test data violations classical assumptions aforementioned presentthe results indicate latent nonnormal distribution clearly affects estimation distribution factor scores properties thereofthus population distribution personal trait assumed nonsymmetric recommend avoiding factor analytic approaches estimation persons factor score even though number extracted factors estimated loading matrix may strongly affectedan application progress international reading literacy study pirls givencomments possible implications programme international student assessment pisa complete presentation