Exploratory Factor Analysis, Theory Generation, and Scientific Method

Multivariate Behavioral Research
Brian D Haig

Abstract

This article examines the methodological foundations of exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and suggests that it is properly construed as a method for generating explanatory theories. In the first half of the article it is argued that EFA should be understood as an abductive method of theory generation that exploits an important precept of scientific inference known as the principle of the common cause. This characterization of the inferential nature of EFA coheres well with its interpretation as a latent variable method. The second half of the article outlines a broad theory of scientific method in which abductive reasoning figures prominently. It then discusses a number of methodological features of EFA in the light of that method. Specifically, it is argued that EFA helps researchers generate theories with genuine explanatory merit; that factor indeterminacy is a methodological challenge for both EFA and confirmatory factor analysis, but that the challenge can be satisfactorily met in each case; and, that EFA, as a useful method of theory generation, can be profitably employed in tandem with confirmatory factor analysis and other methods of theory evaluation.

References

Apr 1, 1991·Anästhesiologie, Intensivmedizin, Notfallmedizin, Schmerztherapie : AINS·A LorentzP M Osswald
Jan 1, 1991·Journal of Pediatric Surgery·J W WilliamsP F Foster
Apr 1, 1971·Cardiovascular Research·W G NaylerT E Lowe
Jun 1, 1995·The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy·E McMullin
Jan 1, 1997·Journal of Personality Assessment·R L Gorsuch
Jan 6, 2006·Psychological Methods·Brian D Haig
Mar 1, 1947·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·L L THURSTONE
Jan 1, 1990·Multivariate Behavioral Research·R L Gorsuch
Jul 1, 1987·Multivariate Behavioral Research·S A Mulaik
Jan 1, 1991·Multivariate Behavioral Research·W W Rozeboom

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jan 6, 2006·Psychological Methods·Brian D Haig
Mar 1, 2009·Multivariate Behavioral Research·J C F de WinterP A Wieringa
Mar 11, 2009·Research in Nursing & Health·Helen M SkermanDiana Battistutta
Aug 8, 2008·Journal of Clinical Psychology·Denny Borsboom
Sep 2, 2011·Autism Research : Official Journal of the International Society for Autism Research·Anat Zaidman-ZaitUNKNOWN Pathways in ASD Study Team
Jul 10, 2008·Journal of Clinical Psychology·Brian D Haig
Jul 18, 2008·Journal of Clinical Psychology·Jan-Willem Romeijn
Jul 11, 2008·Journal of Clinical Psychology·Brian D Haig
Jul 12, 2008·Journal of Clinical Psychology·Frances M Vertue, Brian D Haig
Jul 12, 2008·Journal of Clinical Psychology·Keith A MarkusRula J Thasites
Jan 27, 2015·International Journal of Health Services : Planning, Administration, Evaluation·John Graeme EastwoodHai Ngoc Phung
Mar 7, 2019·Scandinavian Journal of Psychology·Hatice Yildiz Durak, Süleyman Sadi Seferoğlu
Feb 8, 2011·Behavior Research Methods·Michael T Braun, Frederick L Oswald
May 28, 2019·Nature Communications·Ian W EisenbergRussell A Poldrack
May 27, 2021·Royal Society Open Science·Berna DevezerErkan Ozge Buzbas

❮ Previous
Next ❯

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.

Related Papers

Brazilian Oral Research
Carlos Estrela, Altair Antoninha Del Bel Cury
Journal of Advanced Nursing
Noeman A MirzaEric Staples
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved