ABSTRACT
Factor analysis begins with a data matrix. Each vari able in the data matrix has a partic u lar mean, stand ard devi ation, and distri bu tion. Variations in the charac ter ist ics of the vari ables may have a defi n ite effect on a factor analysis. One instance in which the distri bu tions may distort the factor analysis is if the variables are dicho tom ous rather than approx im a tions to continu ous vari ables. The prob lems and possib il it ies of factor analysis with noncon tinu ous vari ables are discussed in Section 14.1.
