A General Approach for Fitting Pure Exploratory Bifactor Models

This article proposes a procedure for fitting a pure exploratory bifactor solution in which the general factor is orthogonal to the group factors, but the loadings on the group factors can satisfy any orthogonal or oblique rotation criterion. The proposal combines orthogonal Procrustes rotations wit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Multivariate behavioral research 2019-01, Vol.54 (1), p.15-30
Main Authors: Lorenzo-Seva, Urbano, Ferrando, Pere J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bifactor solutions
Computer simulation
Empirical analysis
exploratory factor analysis
Feasibility studies
orthogonal and oblique analytical rotations
orthogonal Procrustes rotations
semispecified target matrices
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Summary:This article proposes a procedure for fitting a pure exploratory bifactor solution in which the general factor is orthogonal to the group factors, but the loadings on the group factors can satisfy any orthogonal or oblique rotation criterion. The proposal combines orthogonal Procrustes rotations with analytical rotations and consists of a sequence of four steps. The basic input is a semispecified target matrix that can be (a) defined by the user, (b) obtained by using Schmid-Leiman orthogonalization, or (c) automatically built from a conventional unrestricted solution based on a prescribed number of factors. The relevance of the proposal and its advantages over existing procedures is discussed and assessed via simulation. Its feasibility in practice is illustrated with two empirical examples in the personality domain.
ISSN:0027-3171
1532-7906
DOI:10.1080/00273171.2018.1484339