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Kang: A Guide on the Use of Factor Analysis in the Assessment of Construct Validity
Original Article

Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2013; 43(5): 587-594.

Published online: 31 October 2013

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2013.43.5.587

A Guide on the Use of Factor Analysis in the Assessment of Construct Validity

Hyuncheol Kang

Department of Informational Statistics, Hoseo University, Asan, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Kang, Hyuncheol. Department of Informational Statistics, Hoseo University, 20 Hoseo-ro 79 beon-gil, Asan 336-795, Korea. Tel: +82-41-540-5902, Fax: +82-41-540-5908, hychkang@hoseo.edu

Received 16 August 2013       Accepted 17 September 2013

© 2013 Korean Society of Nursing Science

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to provide researchers with a simplified approach to undertaking exploratory factor analysis for the assessment of construct validity.

Methods

All articles published in 2010, 2011, and 2012 in Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing were reviewed and other relevant books and articles were chosen for the review.

Results

In this paper, the following were discussed: preliminary analysis process of exploratory factor analysis to examine the sample size, distribution of measured variables, correlation coefficient, and results of KMO measure and Bartlett's test of sphericity. In addition, other areas to be considered in using factor analysis are discussed, including determination of the number of factors, the choice of rotation method or extraction method of the factor structure, and the interpretation of the factor loadings and explained variance.

Conclusion

Content validity is the degree to which elements of an assessment instrument are relevant to and representative of the targeted construct for a particular assessment purpose. This measurement is difficult and challenging and takes a lot of time. Factor analysis is considered one of the strongest approaches to establishing construct validity and is the most commonly used method for establishing construct validity measured by an instrument.

Keywords: Factor analysis, Construct validity, Sample size, Communality, Factor loading

Figures and Tables

Table 1
The Number of Cases, Variables, and Factors in the Papers of JKAN (2010-2012)
jkan-43-587-i001
Table 2
Descriptive Statistics from an Example
jkan-43-587-i002

CV=(SD / Mean)×100(%).

Table 3
Eigenvalues and Explained Variance (SPSS output)
jkan-43-587-i003
Table 4
χ2 Test for the Number of Factors (SAS output)
jkan-43-587-i004
Table 5
Factor Loadings, Communalities, and Explained Variances
jkan-43-587-i005

Orthogonal varimax rotation method is used.

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