Exploratory and Confirmatory Rotation Strategies in Exploratory Factor Analysis.

Abstract

Rotation is used in almost all exploratory factor analysis (EFA) studies. There are numerous rotation strategies that can be employed in these various applications. This paper reviews the various rotation choices in EFA studies, including confirmatory rotation, and presents criteria useful in selecting rotation methods in various analytic situations. Factors are rotated in attempts to improve the interpretability of results. The first decision the researcher must make is whether he or she wants the factors to be correlated (oblique rotation) or uncorrelated (orthogonal rotation). As a general rule, if the researcher is primarily interested in getting results that best fit the data, the factors should be rotated obliquely. If the interest is in the generalizability of results, then orthogonal rotation should be conducted instead. It is suggested that regardless of the magnitude of the correlation among the factors it is unnecessary to do oblique rotation in addition to orthogonal rotation. The correlation among the factors yields results that are more difficult than results of an orthogonal rotation, and the slight difference between results of an oblique and an orthogonal rotation is nearly insignificant. (Contains 7 tables and 10 references.) (SLD) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDU ATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) This document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. Rotation Strategies 1 PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) Exploratory and Confirmatory Rotation Strategies in Exploratory Factor Analysis

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