Multiple Imputation of missing values in exploratory factor analysis of multidimensional scales: estimating latent trait scores

• Published in: Anales de psicología (Murcia, Spain) Spain), 2016-05, Vol.32 (2), p.596
• Main Authors: Lorenzo-Seva, Urbano, Van Ginkel, Joost R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Missing data; Questionnaires
• ISSN: 0212-9728; 1695-2294
• DOI: 10.6018/analesps.32.2.215161

Researchers frequently have to analyze scales in which some participants have failed to respond to some items. In this paper we focus on the exploratory factor analysis of multidimensional scales (i.e., scales that consist of a number of subscales) where each subscale is made up of a number of Likert-type items, and the aim of the analysis is to estimate participants’ scores on the corresponding latent traits. Our approach uses the following steps: (1) multiple imputation creates several copies of the data, in which the missing values are imputed; (2) each copy of the data is subject to independent factor analysis, and the same number of factors is extracted from all copies; (3) all factor solutions are simultaneously orthogonally (or obliquely) rotated so that they are both (a) factorially simple, and (b) as similar to one another as possible; (4) latent trait scores are estimated for ordinal data in each copy; and (5) participants’ scores on the latent traits are estimated as the average of the estimates of the latent traits obtained in the copies. We applied the approach in a real dataset where missing responses were artificially introduced following a real pattern of non-responses and a simulation study based on artificial datasets. The results show that our approach was able to compute factor score estimates even for participants that have missing data.