What term is the general term for the structure matrix in factor analysis?

What term is the general term for the structure matrix in factor analysis?

• A. Factor matrix
• B. Factor loading
• C. Factor score
• D. Fixed coefficient

Answer: (A)

In factor analysis, you’re looking at how observed variables relate to underlying latent factors. The structure matrix shows those relationships as correlations between each variable and each factor, which are the loadings linking the variables to the factors. The broad term for this collection of loadings is the factor matrix—it represents the connections from observed variables to the latent factors. Even though rotations and the distinction between structure and pattern matrices can lead to different specific representations, the numbers that tie variables to factors are essentially the factor loadings, and the overall matrix is best described as the factor matrix.

In factor analysis, you’re looking at how observed variables relate to underlying latent factors. The structure matrix shows those relationships as correlations between each variable and each factor, which are the loadings linking the variables to the factors. The broad term for this collection of loadings is the factor matrix—it represents the connections from observed variables to the latent factors. Even though rotations and the distinction between structure and pattern matrices can lead to different specific representations, the numbers that tie variables to factors are essentially the factor loadings, and the overall matrix is best described as the factor matrix.