Using Exploratory Bifactor Analysis to Understand the Latent Structure of Multidimensional Psychological Measures: An Example Featuring the WISC-V. Issue 6 (2nd November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dombrowski, Stefan C.; Beaujean, A. Alexander; McGill, Ryan J.; Benson, Nicholas F.; Schneider, W. Joel
• Is Part Of: Structural equation modeling. Volume 26:Issue 6(2019)
• Page Start: 847
• Page End: 860
• Publication Date: 2019-11-02
• Subjects: Exploratory bifactor analysis -- sensitivity analysis -- Monte Carlo simulation -- Wechsler intelligence scale for children–fifth edition; Multivariate analysis -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Statistical methods -- Periodicals; 519.535
• DOI: 10.1080/10705511.2019.1622421
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1070-5511

Abstract

Abstract : Exploratory bifactor analysis (EBFA) represents a methodological advancement for implementing a bifactor model in exploratory factor analysis (EFA). However, little is known about how to properly employ the procedure. The current rotation criteria available for EBFA make it more likely to "get stuck" in local minima, contributing to possible group factor collapse, than more traditional EFA rotations. Thus, getting a proper solution is a more complex and involved process than typical EFA and may require a sensitivity analysis. This article examines EBFA through a sensitivity analysis and subsequent simulation of parameters thought to contribute to group factor collapse. Results support the use of sensitivity analysis, as the problematic variable was shown to greatly increase the likelihood of factor collapse. The hypothesis that estimation start values contribute to factor collapse was not supported. Accompanying R syntax for all analyses are provided to facilitate reproducibility.