Gradient projection algorithms and software for arbitrary rotation criteria in factor analysis.

Almost all modern rotation of factor loadings is based on optimizing a criterion, for example, the quartimax criterion for quartimax rotation. Recent advancements in numerical methods have led to general orthogonal and oblique algorithms for optimizing essentially any rotation criterion. All that is...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Educational & Psychological Measurement Vol. 65; no. 5; pp. 770 - 791
Autores principales: Bernaards CA, Jennrich RI
Formato: equations & formulas tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Sage Publications Inc. Oct2005
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:Almost all modern rotation of factor loadings is based on optimizing a criterion, for example, the quartimax criterion for quartimax rotation. Recent advancements in numerical methods have led to general orthogonal and oblique algorithms for optimizing essentially any rotation criterion. All that is required for a specific application is a definition of the criterion and its gradient. The authors present the implementations of gradient projection algorithms, both orthogonal and oblique, as well as a catalogue of rotation criteria and corresponding gradients. Software for these is downloadable and free; a specific version is given for each of the computing environments used most by statisticians. Examples of rotation methods are presented by applying them to a loading matrix from Wehmeyer and Palmer.