Assessing the Unidimensional Structure of a Scale: Exploratory Factor Analysis, Confirmatory Factor Analysis or Rasch Measurement?

Authors

  • Panayiotis Panayides Secondary Mathematics Education, Cyprus Associate lecturer, University of Nicosia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7439/ijapr.v3i5.2582

Abstract

This study compares three methods of assessing the dimensionality of a scale: Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Rasch Measurement by means of an example using real data. The responses of a sample of 475 high school students to a maths test anxiety inventory were used for the purposes of this study. The results demonstrated the superiority of the Rasch approach in both identifying the unidimensional structure of the scale as well as the two components of the construct. More studies in diverse settings are suggested in order to investigate whether the conclusions reached in this study can be generalised.

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Published

2015-10-28

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 5 (2015): Sep-Oct

Section

Research Articles

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How to Cite

1.
Assessing the Unidimensional Structure of a Scale: Exploratory Factor Analysis, Confirmatory Factor Analysis or Rasch Measurement?. Int J of Adv in Psyc Res [Internet]. 2015 Oct. 28 [cited 2025 Jul. 21];3(5):27-34. Available from: https://ssjournals.co.in/index.php/ijapr/article/view/2582