Scales

An introduction to scale construction using factor analysis. 

Topics

• Unidimensionality 

• Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis

• Cronbach's alpha

• Eigenvectors and eigenvalues

• Generating items

• Validity

Readings

• Cortina, J. M., Sheng, Z., Keener, S. K., Keeler, K. R., Grubb, L. K., Schmitt, N., Tonidandel, S., Summerville, K. M., Heggestad, E. D., & Banks, G. C. (2020). From alpha to omega and beyond! A look at the past, present, and (possible) future of psychometric soundness in the Journal of Applied Psychology. Journal of Applied Psychology, 105(12), 1351–1381. doi: https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000815

•  Nye, C. D. (2023). Reviewer Resources: Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Organizational Research Methods, 26(4), 608-628. doi:10.1177/10944281221120541

• Flora DB. Your Coefficient Alpha Is Probably Wrong, but Which Coefficient Omega Is Right? A Tutorial on Using R to Obtain Better Reliability Estimates. Advances in Methods and Practices in Psychological Science. 2020;3(4):484-501. doi:10.1177/2515245920951747

Suggested Readings

•  Rönkkö, M., & Cho, E. (2022). An updated guideline for assessing discriminant validity. Organizational Research Methods, 25(1), 1094428120968614. doi:10.1177/1094428120968614

Handouts

• reread Types of validity

• Cronbach's alpha

  • excel dataset cronbach

• Steps of scale construction

• Susan's slides on scale development

Data sets

• Bank.sav

• Bank.amw

• Cronbach

Class notes

• Notes | Scales