# Survey research and design in psychology/Tutorials/Psychometrics/Exploratory factor analysis

This tutorial provides an introduction to conducting exploratory factor analyses (EFAs) using SPSS. The SPSS data, syntax and output is available for each analysis, along with screencasts on youtube.

## Exercises

Exercise 1: Smoking attitudes
What are the underlying dimensions of attitudes towards other people smoking?
View the accompanying screencasts:
Data file: data_14_1.sav | .sps | .spo
Allen & Bennett Ch 14 (pp. 193-204)
Rating scale
On a scale from 1 to 100, where 1 represents "strongly disagree" and 100 represents "strongly agree"; please indicate the extent with which you agree with each of the following statements.
Items
1
I think smoking is acceptable.
2
I don't care if people smoke around me.
3
I don't think people should smoke in restaurants.
4
I think people should have the right to smoke.
5
I don't think people should smoke around food.
Solution
PAF, Varimax or Oblimin rotation (5 items; N = 107), 2 factors:
Smoking acceptance (3 items)
Smoking in food/restaurants (2 items) :
Exercise 2: Classroom behaviour
View the accompanying screencasts:
Data file: behav.sav | .sps | .spo | .doc | .pdf
Francis 5.6 (pp. 157-166)
Rating scale (1 to 5)
Teachers, for each of the following paired behavioral statements, please mark a cross over the dot which is nearest the statement that best describes the TYPICAL behavior of THIS student at school
Items
1
CONCENTRATES
Cannot concentrate on any particular task; easily distracted ↔ Can concentrate on any task; not easily distracted
2
CURIOUS
Shows little curiousity or motivation ↔ Eager to learn; curious and enquiring
3
PERSEVERES
Lacks perseverance; is impatient with difficult or challenging work ↔ Perseveres in the face of difficult or challenging work
4
EVEN-TEMPERED
Irritable,'touchy', 'cranky' ↔ Even-tempered
5
PLACID
Easily excited; gets 'high' ↔ Not easily excited; placid
6
COMPLIANT
Demanding and argumentative ↔ Patient and compliant
7
SELF-CONTROLLED
Has difficulty controlling own behaviour ↔ Is able to control own behaviour
8
RELATES-WARMLY
Provocative; disruptive; short attention span ↔ Relates warmly to others
9
SUSTAINED ATTENTION
Easily frustrated; short attention span ↔ Persistent, sustained attention span
10
COMMUNICATIVE
Difficult to reason and communicate with ↔ Easy to reason and communicate with
11
RELAXED
Restless; fidgety; can't sit still ↔ Relaxed; can sit still
12
CALM
On the go; lively; always moving ↔ Settled, calm
13
PURPOSEFUL ACTIVITY
Aimless activity ↔ Purposeful activity
14
COOPERATIVE
Disputes, fights over sharing ↔ Co-operative; shared with others
15
CONTENTED
Is easily upset; unhappy ↔ Contented; happy
Solution
Solution: 3-factor PAF, Oblimin rotation (13 items; N = 1500), Drop items 6 and 7
Sociability
Task orientation
Settledness
See also: Lecture slides: 33-36, 38, 40, 42, 52, 54, 56, 58, 78-80 :
Exercise 3: Managerial skills
View the accompanying screencast:
Data file: manage.sav | .sps | .spo | .doc | .pdf
Francis 5.12 (pp. 166, 258)
Rating scale
Try to assess the extent to which you possess these skills (Scores ranged from 1 = very little extent to 7 = to a very great extent.)
Items
1
I show confidence in my staff
2
I let my staff know they are doing well
3
I give feedback to staff on how well they are working
4
I would personally compliment staff if they did outstanding work
5
I believe in setting goals and achieving them
6
I achieve the things I want to get done in a day
7
I never try to put off until tomorrow what I can finish today
8
I plan the use of my time well
9
I remain clear headed when too many demands are made upon me
10
I rarely overlook important factors when plans are made
11
I handle complex problems efficiently
Solution
Solution: 3 factor PAF Oblimin (13 items; N = 114):
Feedback
Time Management
Problem Solving :