Tehran University Medical Journal (Jan 2024)
A guide for conducting exploratory factor analysis in medical science research using SPSS: a brief report
Abstract
Background: It is necessary to examine different dimensions of psychometrics in different sciences, and paying attention to the accuracy and precision of the results can lead to the construction of reliable and valid tools; In this article, exploratory factor analysis has been done using SPSS software, version 26. Methods: This research was a brief report that was conducted between 30 January 2023 to 10 October 2023. Reliability means reproducibility and continuity of results in the same conditions, and validity means matching the test with the purpose for which it was designed. Validity includes face, content, criterion and construct validity. To determine construct validity, various methods are used including: convergent validity, divergent validity, internal consistency and factor analysis. Factor analysis is a method that aims to simplify a complex set of data and allows researchers to find a specific pattern among many variables and complex relationships between them which includes exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Exploratory factor analysis is a statistical technique that is used to estimate hidden factors or variables and reduce the large number of variables. Results: exploratory factor analysis is a statistical method that is used by reducing the number of variables and exploring the underlying structure of a large set of variables with the aim of discovering factors or hidden variables, and its basic assumption is that any variable may be related to any factor. It tries to use factor loadings to discover the factorial structure of the data and by identifying the basic structures, grouping the factors by considering the common meaning of the variables. Conclusion: Reliability means repeatability and validity of the degree of accuracy of the results which are measured through different methods. Exploratory factor analysis uses construct validity measurement methods to simplify the data and provide more reliable and valid tools, so it is very important to pay attention to the accurate and correct measurement of the results in the validation of health system tools.
