Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) is often conducted with ordinal data (e.g., items with 5-point responses) in the social and behavioral sciences. These ordinal variables are often treated as if they were continuous in practice. An alternative strategy is to assume that a normally distributed continuous variable underlies each ordinal variable.…

Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) is generally regarded as a technique for large sample sizes ("N"), with N = 50 as a reasonable absolute minimum. This study offers a comprehensive overview of the conditions in which EFA can yield good quality results for "N" below 50. Simulations were carried out to estimate the minimum required "N" for different…

Several methods of constructing confidence intervals for Spearman's rho (rank correlation coefficient) (C. Spearman, 1904) were tested in a Monte Carlo study using 2,000 samples of 3 different sizes. Results support the continued use of Spearman's rho in behavioral research. (SLD)

Monte Carlo methods were used to evaluate the degree to which canonical function and structure coefficients may be differentially sensitive to sampling error. For each of 64 research situations, 1,000 random samples were drawn. Both sets of coefficients were roughly equally influenced; some exceptions are noted. (SLD)

Multivariate permutation tests are described, and some are suggested as substitutions for Hotelling's one-sample T2 test in common situations in behavioral science research. A Monte Carlo study shows advantages of these tests when the T2 test fails or is suspect. (SLD)