A Step-by-Step Guide to Exploratory Factor Analysis with Stata

by Marley Watkins

Overview

This is a concise, easy to use, step-by-step guide for applied researchers conducting exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using Stata.

In this book, Dr. Watkins systematically reviews each decision step in EFA with screen shots of Stata code and recommends evidence-based best practice procedures. This is an eminently applied, practical approach with few or no formulas and is aimed at readers with little to no mathematical background. Dr. Watkins maintains an accessible tone throughout and uses minimal jargon and formula to help facilitate grasp of the key issues users will face when applying EFA, along with how to implement, interpret, and report results. Copious scholarly references and quotations are included to support the reader in responding to editorial reviews.

This is a valuable resource for upper level undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as for more experienced researchers undertaking multivariate or structure equation modeling courses across the behavioral, medical, and social sciences.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780367710323
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	09/09/2021
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Marley W. Watkins earned a PhD in Educational Psychology and Measurements with a specialty in School Psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA. He is currently Research Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at Baylor University, USA, and has authored more than 200 articles, books, and chapters and presented more than 150 papers at professional conferences.

Table of Contents

Preface

1. Introduction

2. Data

3. Stata Software

4. Importing and Saving Data

5. Decision Steps in Exploratory Factor Analysis

6. Step 1: Variables to Include

7. Step 2: Participants

8. Step 3: Data Screening

9. Step 4: Is Exploratory Factor Analysis Appropriate?

10. Step 5: Factor Analysis Model

11. Step 6: Factor Extraction Method

12. Step 7: How many Factors to Retain

13. Step 8: Rotate Factors

14. Step 9: Interpret Exploratory Factor Analysis Results

15. Step 10: Report Exploratory Factor Analysis Results

16. Exploratory Factor Analysis with Categorical Variables

17. Higher-Order and Bifactor Models

18. Exploratory versus Confirmatory Factor Analysis

19. Practice Exercises

References and Resources

Editorial Reviews

"This book is an important contribution to the field. I have been publishing articles using EFA for over 30 years, yet it provided me with new insights and information on EFA. More importantly, the material is easy to follow and accessible to researchers and graduate students new to EFA. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking to become competent in EFA."

Joseph J. Glutting, University of Delaware, USA

"A Step-by-Step Guide to Exploratory Factor Analysis with Stata offers not only an explanation of how to use Stata but also a clear overview of how to conduct an EFA. It is a valuable resource for students and researchers alike."

Stefan C. Dombrowski, Rider University, USA

"This book is an amazing resource for those new to factor analysis as well as those who have used it for some time. It is a terrific guide to best practices in exploratory factor analysis with rich explanations and descriptions for why various procedures are used and equally terrific in providing resources and guidance for using Stata for conducting factor analysis. I highly recommend this book."

Gary L. Canivez, Eastern Illinois University, USA

"This is by far, the best book of its kind. Professor Watkins has an accessible and engaging writing style that nicely blends underlying theoretical assumptions of exploratory factor analysis with easy-to-follow, practical suggestions for the statistical calculations. This text will be a tremendous resource for beginning, intermediate, and advanced researchers. Highly recommended!"

Joseph C. Kush, Duquesne University, USA

From the Publisher