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An inter-battery method of factor analysis

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Abstract

The inter-battery method of factor analysis was devised to provide information relevant to the stability of factors over different selections of tests. Two batteries of tests, postulated to depend on the same common factors, but not parallel tests, are given to one sample of individuals. Factors are determined from the correlation of the tests in one battery with the tests in the other battery. These factors are only those that are common to the two batteries. No communality estimates are required. A statistical test is provided for judging the minimum number of factors involved. Rotation of axes is carried out independently for the two batteries. A final step provides the correlation between factors determined by scores on the tests in the two batteries. The correlations between corresponding factors are taken as factor reliability coefficients.

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This research was jointly supported by Princeton University and the Office of Naval Research under contract N6onr-270-20 and the National Science Foundation under grant NSF G-642; Harold Gulliksen, principal investigator. The preparation of this paper and the accompanying material has been aided by the Educational Testing Service. The author is grateful to Professors Harold Gulliksen and Samuel S. Wilks for their many most helpful comments and suggestions.

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Tucker, L.R. An inter-battery method of factor analysis. Psychometrika 23, 111–136 (1958). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02289009

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02289009

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