Higher-Order Factors: Models and Formulas

Abstract

The researcher has now achieved a unique solution as regards primary factors. He possesses a factor pattern matrix of oblique factors at a position of demonstrated maximum simple structure, or confactor resolution, and hopefully of sufficient statistical significance in loadings, hyperplanes, etc. He should preserve in file, as the hallmarks of his solutions, the R _υ matrix, the V₀ (with a column of communalities), the L matrix, which transformed from the V₀ to the V _rs , and the correlations among the oblique factors R _f . For all of these may be needed; for further steps or for examination later, by others or by himself, of the adequacy of his solution; for searches for the possibility of alternative solutions; and for theory checking and development in the next stage of experiment.