• Course Orientation and Syllabus
  • 1 Introduction to Exploratory Factor Analysis
    • 1.1 Examples of Studies that Employed EFA
    • 1.2 Key concepts:
    • 1.3 Some Assumptions of EFA
    • 1.4 Assignment 1
    • 1.5 Data Types, Research Questions/Hypotheses for EFA
    • 1.6 Factor Extraction Methods
    • 1.7 Choosing the appropriate extraction method
  • 2 (Un)Rotated Factor Solution
    • 2.1 Unrotated Factor Solution
    • 2.2 Rotated Factor Solution
      • 2.2.1 Orthogonal vs. oblique rotation
      • 2.2.2 Oblique rotation
    • 2.3 Interpreting rotated factor loadings
  • 3 Assessing the Need for Factor Analysis
    • 3.1 Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO)
    • 3.2 Bartlett’s Test
    • 3.3 Determining the number of factors
      • 3.3.1 Eigenvalues
      • 3.3.2 Scree Plot
      • 3.3.3 Parallel Analysis
  • 4 Interpreting Factor Loadings
    • 4.1 Factor Loading
    • 4.2 Cross loading
    • 4.3 Communality
    • 4.4 Model Assessment and Reporting
    • 4.5 Reliability Analysis
    • 4.6 Reporting results in academic papers
    • 4.7 Assignment 2
  • 5 EFA in R
    • 5.1 Background: ICT Engagement Constructs
    • 5.2 PISA Assessment
    • 5.3 Research Question
    • 5.4 Data Extraction
    • 5.5 Installing R and RStudio
    • 5.6 Load data into RStudio
    • 5.7 Variable Selection and Cleaning
    • 5.8 Basic Exploratory Analysis
    • 5.9 Assessing the need for EFA
    • 5.10 Determining the number of factors
      • 5.10.1 Eigenvalue extraction
      • 5.10.2 Scree Plot
      • 5.10.3 Parallel Analyses
    • 5.11 Unrotated Factor Solution
    • 5.12 Rotated factor solution
    • 5.13 Reliability Analysis
  • 6 Individual or Group Project
  • References

Exploratory Factor Analysis in R

1.1 Examples of Studies that Employed EFA

Below are some examples of research papers in different disciplines that employed EFA. Feel free to read these papers to have a better understanding of how EFA can be applied in your field or any project of your choice.

  1. Exploratory factor analysis of barriers to lean construction based on Brazilian managers’ perceptions
  2. Factors related to parental COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy for children: An exploratory factor analysis model
  3. Exploratory factor analysis of shared and specific genetic associations in depression and anxiety
  4. Exploratory Factor Analysis of the Social Communication Disorder Screener
  5. Validation of Fitness Switching Costs Scale (FSCS): Examining the Factor Structure and Measurement Precision
  6. A review of exploratory factor analysis in tourism and hospitality research: Identifying current practices and avenues for improvement