Factor Analysis for Exploratory Research in the Distribution Science Field

유통과학분야에서 탐색적 연구를 위한 요인분석

Purpose - This paper aims to provide a step-by-step approach to factor analytic procedures, such as principal component analysis (PCA) and exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and to offer a guideline for factor analysis. Authors have argued that the results of PCA and EFA are substantially similar. Additionally, they assert that PCA is a more appropriate technique for factor analysis because PCA produces easily interpreted results that are likely to be the basis of better decisions. For these reasons, many researchers have used PCA as a technique instead of EFA. However, these techniques are clearly different. PCA should be used for data reduction. On the other hand, EFA has been tailored to identify any underlying factor structure, a set of measured variables that cause the manifest variables to covary. Thus, it is needed for a guideline and for procedures to use in factor analysis. To date, however, these two techniques have been indiscriminately misused. Research design, data, and methodology - This research conducted a literature review. For this, we summarized the meaningful and consistent arguments and drew up guidelines and suggested procedures for rigorous EFA. Results - PCA can be used instead of common factor analysis when all measured variables have high communality. However, common factor analysis is recommended for EFA. First, researchers should evaluate the sample size and check for sampling adequacy before conducting factor analysis. If these conditions are not satisfied, then the next steps cannot be followed. Sample size must be at least 100 with communality above 0.5 and a minimum subject to item ratio of at least 5:1, with a minimum of five items in EFA. Next, Bartlett's sphericity test and the Kaiser-Mayer-Olkin (KMO) measure should be assessed for sampling adequacy. The chi-square value for Bartlett's test should be significant. In addition, a KMO of more than 0.8 is recommended. The next step is to conduct a factor analysis. The analysis is composed of three stages. The first stage determines a rotation technique. Generally, ML or PAF will suggest to researchers the best results. Selection of one of the two techniques heavily hinges on data normality. ML requires normally distributed data; on the other hand, PAF does not. The second step is associated with determining the number of factors to retain in the EFA. The best way to determine the number of factors to retain is to apply three methods including eigenvalues greater than 1.0, the scree plot test, and the variance extracted. The last step is to select one of two rotation methods: orthogonal or oblique. If the research suggests some variables that are correlated to each other, then the oblique method should be selected for factor rotation because the method assumes all factors are correlated in the research. If not, the orthogonal method is possible for factor rotation. Conclusions - Recommendations are offered for the best factor analytic practice for empirical research.