A Methodological Review of Exploratory Factor Analysis in Sexuality Research: Used Practices, Best Practices, and Data Analysis Resources

Journal of Sex Research
John K Sakaluk, Stephen D Short

Abstract

Sexuality researchers frequently use exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to illuminate the distinguishable theoretical constructs assessed by a set of variables. EFA entails a substantive number of analytic decisions to be made with respect to sample size determination, and how factors are extracted, rotated, and retained. The available analytic options, however, are not all equally empirically rigorous. We discuss the commonly available options for conducting EFA and which options constitute best practices for EFA. We also present the results of a methodological review of the analytic options for EFA used by sexuality researchers in more than 200 EFAs, published in more than 160 articles and chapters from 1974 to 2014, in a sample of sexuality research journals. Our review reveals that best practices for EFA are actually those least frequently used by sexuality researchers. We introduce freely available analytic resources to help make it easier for sexuality researchers to adhere to best practices when conducting EFAs in their own research.

References

Mar 1, 1975·The British Journal of Psychiatry : the Journal of Mental Science·B S Everitt
Sep 1, 1966·Psychometrika·R I Jennrich, P F Sampson
Oct 13, 2000·Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers : a Journal of the Psychonomic Society, Inc·B P O'Connor
Mar 1, 1947·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·L L THURSTONE
Jul 1, 1987·Multivariate Behavioral Research·S A Mulaik
Apr 1, 1966·Multivariate Behavioral Research·R B Cattell

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jun 3, 2010·The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity·Cindy W LeungIrene H Yen
Aug 11, 2011·BMC Medical Research Methodology·Elisabeth L MelbyeNina C Øverby
Jan 7, 2010·Annals of General Psychiatry·Ilias A GrammatikopoulosChristos Lionis
Jun 3, 2008·The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity·David OgilvieStephen Platt
Dec 31, 2009·Health and Quality of Life Outcomes·Herdis K M MolinderLars E Agréus
Feb 10, 2011·PloS One·Jacquelien DrosHenk C P M van Weert
Apr 17, 2015·PloS One·Nadine Correia SantosNuno Sousa
Dec 3, 2014·PloS One·Michelle L LuteMeredith L Gore
Jan 1, 2014·PloS One·Amaia Calderón-LarrañagaAlexandra Prados-Torres
Jun 27, 2015·PloS One·Anne Marthe van der BlesRob R Meijer
Jul 8, 2016·Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research·Manuel González-SánchezAntonio I Cuesta-Vargas
Apr 21, 2009·Research in Developmental Disabilities·Cristan A Farmer, Michael G Aman
May 6, 2011·Meat Science·Lynn Van WezemaelWim Verbeke
Oct 25, 2016·Journal of Pain and Symptom Management·Tali SamsonPesach Shvartzman
Feb 9, 2018·Journal of Sex Research·Amy MuiseEmily A Impett
Dec 16, 2017·Journal of Sex Research·Dylan SeltermanIrene Tsapelas
Aug 2, 2018·Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation·Michael D WoodJill A Jacobson
Jan 9, 2018·Journal of Homosexuality·Melanie A MorrisonTodd G Morrison
Mar 14, 2019·The Clinical Journal of Pain·Miznah Al-AbbadeyCynthia A Graham
Sep 6, 2018·Quality of Life Research : an International Journal of Quality of Life Aspects of Treatment, Care and Rehabilitation·Rachel P RiendeauMark S Bauer
Dec 20, 2018·BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care·Deborah H L MuldrewKevin Brazil
Aug 26, 2020·Journal of Homosexuality·Drexler JamesBrandon J Hill
Dec 12, 2018·Journal of Homosexuality·Claudia Amezcua-GutiérrezMiguel Angel Guevara

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Methods Mentioned

BETA
PCA

Software Mentioned

Mplus
R
SAS
SPSS

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.