Confirmatory factor analysis as a tool in research using questionnaires: a critique1,2

Abstract

Predicting the factor structure of a test and comparing this with the factor structure, empirically derived from the item scores, is a powerful test of the content validity of the test items, the theory justifying the prediction, and the test's construct validity. For the last two decades, the preferred method for such testing has often been confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). CFA expresses the degree of discrepancy between predicted and empirical factor structure in χ2 and indices of “goodness of fit” (GOF), while primary factor loadings and modification indices provide some feedback on item level. However, the latter feedback is very limited, while χ2 and the GOF indices appear to be problematic. This will be demonstrated by a selective review of the literature on CFA.