ABSTRACT
The useful ness of factor analysis for research has been and is debated. Indeed, there are those who would ques tion whether it can be used in research at all. It seems appro pri ate at this point to examine present prac tices and their criti cisms in the light of the recom mend a tions made in the preced ing chapters. Some of the criti cisms are examined in a discus sion of the present usage of factor analysis (Section 18.1). It will be found that a number of the criti cisms that have been applied are quite appro pri ate, given the way factor analysis is often util ized. We shall then move boldly in Section 18.2 and outline the steps to be involved in a stand ard factor analysis, steps that will hope fully avoid some of the pitfalls seen in past research. Some brief comments on the future of factor analysis are given in Section 18.3.
