The power of multiple battery factor analysis in coping with the effects of differential skewness of variables

Abstract

The principal objective of the study was to determine the power of Multiple Battery Factor Analysis (MBFA) in coping with the effects of differential skewness of the variables used. Generally speaking, joint analyses result in factors of skewness. To examine the problem the General Scholastic Aptitude Test (GSAT) and Senior Ability Tests (SAT) were jointly applied to a sample of 1 598 first-year university students, and subjected to both a Principal Factor Analysis (PFA) and a MBFA. Three factors were obtained in both instances. The PFA yielded factors of skewness and the MBFA factors of content. The implications of the findings are discussed.

Opsomming
Die hoofdoelwit van die studie was om die krag van Veelvuldigebattery-faktorontleding (VBFO) te bepaal ten einde die gevolge van differensiële skeefheid van veranderlikes te bowe te kom. In die algemeen lei gesamentlike faktorontledings van batterye toetse tot faktore van skeefheid. Om die probleem te ondersoek, is die Algemene Skolastiese Aanlegtoets (ASAT) en die Senior Aanlegtoetse (SAT) gesamentlik op ’n steekproef van 1 598 eerstejaaruniversiteitstudente toegepas en aan sowel ’n Hooffaktorontleding (HFO) as ’n VBFO onderwerp. Drie faktore is in albei gevalle verkry. Die HFO het faktore van skeefheid opgelewer en die VBFO faktore van inhoud. Die implikasies van die bevindinge word bespreek.