exploratory factor analysis

USAGE SUMMARY

"exploratory factor analysis" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used in statistics to describe a type of multivariate analysis used to identify undiscovered correlations between several measured variables. For example: "This research utilizes exploratory factor analysis to identify the relationships between student learning and different teaching methods."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An exploratory factor analysis was conducted.

Safety Science

Rotation algorithms used in exploratory factor analysis are discussed.

Handbook of Latent Variable and Related Models

Both exploratory factor analysis and correlation analysis were conducted.

Computers & Education

An exploratory factor analysis was conducted on the ATAGC items.

Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment

Exploratory factor analysis revealed 4 underlying factors of quality in this sample.

Stanford University

An exploratory factor analysis yields three distinct motives: protection, marketing, and exchange.

Research Policy

Exploratory factor analysis.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Exploratory factor analysis revealed a three-factor, 17-item scale.

Duke University

Construct validity was assessed through an exploratory factor analysis.

Duke University

Exploratory factor analysis and Cronbach's scores are generated.

Duke University

Construct validity was assessed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA).

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting results from "exploratory factor analysis", clearly state the number of factors extracted and the variance explained by each factor to provide a comprehensive overview of the analysis.

Common error

Avoid assuming a causal relationship based solely on factor loadings in "exploratory factor analysis". Factor loadings indicate correlation, not causation, between variables and factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exploratory factor analysis" functions as a noun phrase, denoting a specific statistical method. It is commonly used to describe the process of identifying underlying factors within a dataset. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

70%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

News & Media

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exploratory factor analysis" is a statistically sound and frequently used phrase, primarily in scientific and academic contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and serves to describe a specific type of statistical analysis aimed at identifying underlying factors within a dataset. Related terms include "factor analysis exploration" and "initial factor analysis". When using this phrase, it's important to accurately report the number of factors extracted and to avoid implying causation based solely on factor loadings. The consistency and authoritative sourcing underscore its reliability as a descriptor in research and analytical reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

factor analysis exploration

Reorders the words in the original phrase, slightly altering emphasis.

initial factor analysis

Replaces "exploratory" with "initial", emphasizing the starting point of the analysis.

preliminary factor analysis

Uses "preliminary" instead of "exploratory", indicating a preparatory step.

uncovering factor structure

Focuses on the action of discovering underlying factors, rather than the analytical method itself.

identifying latent variables

Highlights the purpose of identifying unobserved variables through factor analysis.

latent variable exploration

Replaces 'factor' with 'latent variable' and shifts the focus to the exploration aspect.

dimensionality assessment

Describes the process of assessing the number of dimensions within a dataset, a key aspect of factor analysis.

data reduction technique

Broader term encompassing factor analysis as a method to reduce the complexity of data.

principal component analysis

A related technique that aims to reduce the dimensionality of data by identifying principal components.

statistical factor discovery

Focuses on the statistical process of identifying factors within a dataset.

FAQs

How is "exploratory factor analysis" used in research?

"Exploratory factor analysis" is used to identify underlying relationships between measured variables, helping researchers to reduce data complexity and uncover latent constructs.

What is the difference between "exploratory factor analysis" and "confirmatory factor analysis"?

"Exploratory factor analysis" is used to discover the factor structure of a dataset, while confirmatory factor analysis tests a pre-specified factor structure.

When should I use "exploratory factor analysis"?

Use "exploratory factor analysis" when you have a large number of variables and want to reduce them to a smaller set of factors, especially when you do not have a clear hypothesis about the underlying factor structure.

What are some common techniques used in "exploratory factor analysis"?

Common techniques include principal component analysis for factor extraction and varimax rotation to simplify the interpretation of factors.