An Alternative Conceptualization of the Theoretical Structure of the Woodcock-Johnson IV Tests of Cognitive Abilities at School Age: A Confirmatory Factor Analytic Investigation

Abstract

Confirmatory factor analysis produced a different theoretical conceptualization for the Woodcock-Johnson IV Tests of Cognitive Abilities (hereinafter, WJ IV Cognitive) in the age range between 9 to 19 years than the actual 7-factor theoretical structure presented in the instrument’s technical manual. Using maximum likelihood confirmatory factor analysis, the results of this study indicate that the WJ IV Cognitive measures 4 factors (Verbal, Working Memory, Perceptual Reasoning, and Processing Speed) and aligns with the prior Wechsler intelligence scales conceptualization of cognitive ability. The results also suggest that some caution should be exercised when moving to index-level interpretation as proposed in the WJ IV Technical Manual. Subtest alignment is different than what is proposed in the manual and the various indices do not account for sufficient variance for independent interpretive emphasis. The results of this study, therefore, have implications not only for direct CHC-index-level interpretation, but also for clinical interpretive approaches such as cross-battery assessment and processing strengths and weaknesses. S C I E N T I F I C A B S T R A C T The actual 7-factor theoretical structure of the Woodcock-Johnson Fourth Edition (WJ IV) Cognitive was not investigated by the test publisher. Instead, the structure for the WJ IV Cognitive battery was extrapolated from analyses of the full WJ IV test battery. The present study investigated the theoretical structure of the WJ IV Cognitive in isolation, using maximum likelihood confirmatory factor analysis applied to 2 standardization sample age groups (Age 9 to 13 and Age 14 to 19). The results of this study propose an alternate theoretical structure for the WJ IV Cognitive—one that aligns with the prior 4-factor conceptualizations of the Wechsler Scales (i.e., Verbal Ability, Working Memory, Processing Speed, and Perceptual Reasoning) rather than the 7-factor Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) structure posited in the WJ IV Technical Manual. Implications for direct application of CHC-index-level interpretation and approaches to clinical interpretation, such as cross-battery assessment and processing strengths and weaknesses, are discussed.