Open Access, Peer-reviewed
eISSN 2093-758X
    J Korean Acad Nurs. 2013 Oct;43(5):587-594. Korean.
    Published online Oct 31, 2013.
    https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2013.43.5.587
    © 2013 Korean Society of Nursing Science
    Original Article

    A Guide on the Use of Factor Analysis in the Assessment of Construct Validity

    Hyuncheol Kang
      • Department of Informational Statistics, Hoseo University, Asan, Korea.
    • Address reprint requests to: Kang, Hyuncheol. Department of Informational Statistics, Hoseo University, 20 Hoseo-ro 79 beon-gil, Asan 336-795, Korea. Tel: +82-41-540-5902, Fax: +82-41-540-5908, Email: hychkang@hoseo.edu
    Received August 16, 2013; Accepted September 17, 2013.

    Abstract

    Purpose

    The purpose of this study is to provide researchers with a simplified approach to undertaking exploratory factor analysis for the assessment of construct validity.

    Methods

    All articles published in 2010, 2011, and 2012 in Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing were reviewed and other relevant books and articles were chosen for the review.

    Results

    In this paper, the following were discussed: preliminary analysis process of exploratory factor analysis to examine the sample size, distribution of measured variables, correlation coefficient, and results of KMO measure and Bartlett's test of sphericity. In addition, other areas to be considered in using factor analysis are discussed, including determination of the number of factors, the choice of rotation method or extraction method of the factor structure, and the interpretation of the factor loadings and explained variance.

    Conclusion

    Content validity is the degree to which elements of an assessment instrument are relevant to and representative of the targeted construct for a particular assessment purpose. This measurement is difficult and challenging and takes a lot of time. Factor analysis is considered one of the strongest approaches to establishing construct validity and is the most commonly used method for establishing construct validity measured by an instrument.

    Keywords
    Factor analysis; Construct validity; Sample size; Communality; Factor loading

    Tables

    Table 1
    The Number of Cases, Variables, and Factors in the Papers of JKAN (2010-2012)

    Table 2
    Descriptive Statistics from an Example

    Table 3
    Eigenvalues and Explained Variance (SPSS output)

    Table 4
    χ2 Test for the Number of Factors (SAS output)

    Table 5
    Factor Loadings, Communalities, and Explained Variances

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    MeSH Terms
    Analysis of Variance
    Factor Analysis, Statistical
    Nursing Research/standards*
    Publishing
    Metrics
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