Factor Analytic Models: Viewing the Structure of an Assessment Instrument From Three Perspectives

2005/08/01 by Barbara M. Byrne · 1 citation
Decision Sciences · Psychology · #Psychometric Methodologies and Testing #Evaluation and Performance Assessment #Educational and Psychological Assessments

paper · pdf · doi:10.1207/s15327752jpa8501_02

openalex publication_date 2005/08/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29

Abstract

The overarching purpose of this article is to present a nonmathematical introduction to the application of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) within the framework of structural equation modeling as it applies to psychological assessment instruments. In the interest of clarity and ease of understanding, I model exploratory factor analysis (EFA) structure in addition to first- and second-order CFA structures. All factor analytic structures are based on the same measuring instrument, the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II; Beck, Steer, & Brown, 1996). Following a "walk" through the general process of CFA modeling, I identify several common misconceptions and improper application practices with respect to both EFA and CFA and tender caveats with a view to preventing further proliferation of these pervasive practices.

Citations

• Alternative Ways of Assessing Model Fit
• Comparative fit indexes in structural models.
• Factor analysis in the development and refinement of clinical assessment instruments.
• Measuring Adolescent Depression: Factorial Validity and Invariance of the Beck Depression Inventory Across Gender
• An Inventory for Measuring Depression
• Model modifications in covariance structure analysis: The problem of capitalization on chance.
• Inference and missing data
• Structural Model Evaluation and Modification: An Interval Estimation Approach
• Statistical Analysis of Sets of Congeneric Tests

Cited by

• Barbara M. Byrne [wikipedia]