Culture influences basic motivational processes; however, Western theories of achievement motivation seem to have neglected the role of culture. They are inadequate when trying to explain student motivation and engagement across a wide range of cultural groups because they may not have the conceptual tools needed to handle culturally relevant…

Defends the four-step approach to structural equation modeling based on testing sequences of models and points out misunderstandings of opponents of the approach. The four-step approach allows the separation of respective constraints within a structural equation model. (SLD)

Through a review of the literature, this paper explores the viability of the rotation of canonical correlation analysis results. The similarities and dissimilarities between factor analysis and canonical correlation analysis are examined. The logic supporting a preference for the rotation of structure coefficients as opposed to function…

The "factor" analyses published by Schultz, Kaye, and Hoyer (1980) confused component and factor analysis and led to unwarranted conclusions. The principal factors method yields two factors which support the a priori expectation of a difference between intelligence tasks and spontaneous flexibility tasks. (Author/RD)

Investigators are urged to plan factor analytic studies prior to collecting the data, to formulate a hypothesized factor structure, to develop several relatively pure measures of each factor expected, and to select an appropriate sample of at least 200 cases. Continuous variables should be used rather than dichotomous variables. (Author)

Factor analytic literature published since 1965 examining the dimensionality of the adaptive behavior (AB) construct is reviewed, in light of AB's inclusion in the definition of mental retardation. Personal independence and five secondary factors were identified. AB's dimensionality varied as a function of number of methodologies and scale…