Researchers were interested in identifying the number of factors underlying a 6 item survey. The factor loadings are given below. How would you characterize the loadings on the second factor?

factor matrix^a

factor

1 2

X1 -.890 .023

X2 -.740 .111

X3 -.732 .097

X4 .004 .854

X5 .009 .900

X6 .120 .831

A) The second factor was characterized by near-zero loadings from items X1, X2, and X3 and weak positive loadings from items X4, X5, and X6. B) The second factor was characterized by strong negative loadings from items X1, X2, and X3 and near-zero loadings from items X4, X5, and X6. C) The second factor was characterized by near-zero loadings from items X1, X2, and X3 and strong positive loadings from items X4, X5, and X6. D) The second factor was characterized by moderate positive loadings from X1, X2, and X3 and moderate negative loadings from items X4, X5, and X6.

Question

Researchers were interested in identifying the number of factors underlying a 6 item survey. The factor loadings are given below. How would you characterize the loadings on the second factor?

factor matrix^a
	factor
	1	2
X1	-.890	.023
X2	-.740	.111
X3	-.732	.097
X4	.004	.854
X5	.009	.900
X6	.120	.831

A) The second factor was characterized by near-zero loadings from items X1, X2, and X3 and weak positive loadings from items X4, X5, and X6.
B) The second factor was characterized by strong negative loadings from items X1, X2, and X3 and near-zero loadings from items X4, X5, and X6.
C) The second factor was characterized by near-zero loadings from items X1, X2, and X3 and strong positive loadings from items X4, X5, and X6.
D) The second factor was characterized by moderate positive loadings from X1, X2, and X3 and moderate negative loadings from items X4, X5, and X6.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The factor loadings on the second factor are all positive, and items X4, X5, and X6 have stronger loadings than X1, X2, and X3. This suggests that the second factor is characterized by near-zero loadings from items X1, X2, and X3 and strong positive loadings from items X4, X5, and X6.

Researchers Were Interested in Identifying the Number of Factors Underlying