In factor analysis, what is the process called when deciding whether to extract a factor based on the size of its eigenvalue?

In factor analysis, what is the process called when deciding whether to extract a factor based on the size of its eigenvalue?

• A. Factor analysis
• B. Extraction
• C. Kaiserization
• D. Rotation

Answer: (B)

In factor analysis, deciding how many factors to keep relies on eigenvalues from the factor solution. The common rule is to retain factors with eigenvalues greater than 1, because such a factor explains more variance than a single observed variable. This decision is made during the extraction stage, when you determine and pull out the factors to retain. Rotation happens afterward to make the factors easier to interpret, so the process of deciding to extract based on eigenvalue size is the extraction step.

In factor analysis, deciding how many factors to keep relies on eigenvalues from the factor solution. The common rule is to retain factors with eigenvalues greater than 1, because such a factor explains more variance than a single observed variable. This decision is made during the extraction stage, when you determine and pull out the factors to retain. Rotation happens afterward to make the factors easier to interpret, so the process of deciding to extract based on eigenvalue size is the extraction step.