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A reliability coefficient for maximum likelihood factor analysis

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Abstract

Maximum likelihood factor analysis provides an effective method for estimation of factor matrices and a useful test statistic in the likelihood ratio for rejection of overly simple factor models. A reliability coefficient is proposed to indicate quality of representation of interrelations among attributes in a battery by a maximum likelihood factor analysis. Usually, for a large sample of individuals or objects, the likelihood ratio statistic could indicate that an otherwise acceptable factor model does not exactly represent the interrelations among the attributes for a population. The reliability coefficient could indicate a very close representation in this case and be a better indication as to whether to accept or reject the factor solution.

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This research was supported by the Personnel and Training Research Programs Office of the Office of Naval Research under contract US NAVY/00014-67-A-0305-0003. Critical review of the development and suggestions by Richard Montanelli were most helpful.

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Tucker, L.R., Lewis, C. A reliability coefficient for maximum likelihood factor analysis. Psychometrika 38, 1–10 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02291170

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02291170

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