Factor Analysis

This module introduces the statistical techniques of Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) is used to uncover the latent structure (dimensions) of a set of variables. It reduces the attribute space from a larger number of variables to a smaller number of factors. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) examines whether collected data correspond to a model of what the data are meant to measure. STATA will be introduced as a powerful tool to conduct confirmatory factor analysis. A brief introduction will be given to confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling.

• Session 1: Exploratory Factor Analysis Introduction
• Session 2: Factor Analysis Applications
• Session 3: CFA and Path Analysis with STATA
• Session 4: Introduction to SEM and programming

• Postgraduate students and staff
• Further details regarding eligibility criteria are available here

• Students are expected to be familiar with basic statistical concepts such as variance, correlation and regression
• The course also assumes familiarity with using the essential features of Stata

Stata

There may be a practical exercise at the end of the module.

• Bartholomew, D. J., Steele, F., & Moustaki, I. (2008). Analysis of Multivariate Social Science Data (2nd ed ed.). New York, NY: Chapman & Hall/CRC Press.
• Long, J. S. (1983). Confirmatory Factor Analysis: A Preface to LISREL. SAGE Publications.
• Kim, J. O., & Mueller, C. W. (1978). Factor Analysis: Statistical Methods and Practical Issues. SAGE Publications.
• LP., S., Hamilton, L. C., & Corporation, S. (2011). Stata Structural Equation Modeling Reference Manual-Release 12. StataCorp LP.

In addition, there are chapters on Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis in the Electronic Statistics Textbook (EST).

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