ABSTRACT
The usefulness of factor analysis for research has been and is debated. Indeed, there are those who would question whether it can be used in research at all. It seems appropriate at this point to examine present practices and their criticisms in the light of the recommendations made in the preceding chapters. Some of the criticisms are examined in a discussion of the present usage of factor analysis (Section 18.1). It will be found that a number of the criticisms that have been applied are quite appropriate, given the way factor analysis is often utilized. We shall then move boldly in Section 18.2 and outline the steps to be involved in a standard factor analysis, steps that will hopefully avoid some of the pitfalls seen in past research. Some brief comments on the future of factor analysis are given in Section 18.3.
