ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts discussed in the preceding chapters. This chapter discusses the factor analysis use for research program. It examines some of the criticisms for the present usage of factor analysis. In some situations the purpose of a factor analysis may be to reduce the number of variables so that the domain might be covered in research study or so that a comprehensive but efficient test battery might result. Because of the versatility of factor analysis, the complexities in selecting the proper procedures, and the readily available "little jiffy" computer programs, there is a wide range in the quality of factor-analytic studies. The prime purpose of the factor analysis may be to reduce the number of variables in an economical manner. Reduction of the number of variables may be to increase the degrees of freedom of a particular analysis or to represent the domain represented by the original variable set but at less cost.
