A statistical procedure that identifies clusters of related items on a test to identify different dimensions underlying someone's total score is known as?

A statistical procedure that identifies clusters of related items on a test to identify different dimensions underlying someone's total score is known as?

• A. Factor analysis
• B. Cronbach's alpha
• C. External reliability
• D. Likert-type scale

Answer: (A)

This is about uncovering hidden dimensions by looking at how items relate to one another. Factor analysis examines the pattern of correlations among test items and groups items that covary into a smaller set of latent factors. Each factor represents a dimension, and items with strong loadings on the same factor tend to measure the same underlying construct. So, instead of a single total score telling you everything about a person, you get multiple dimensions that explain the structure of responses. This differs from Cronbach's alpha, which assesses whether items hang together as a single scale rather than revealing distinct aspects or dimensions. External reliability isn’t the standard term for this context, and a Likert-type scale is just a response format, not a method for identifying underlying structure.

This is about uncovering hidden dimensions by looking at how items relate to one another. Factor analysis examines the pattern of correlations among test items and groups items that covary into a smaller set of latent factors. Each factor represents a dimension, and items with strong loadings on the same factor tend to measure the same underlying construct. So, instead of a single total score telling you everything about a person, you get multiple dimensions that explain the structure of responses.

This differs from Cronbach's alpha, which assesses whether items hang together as a single scale rather than revealing distinct aspects or dimensions. External reliability isn’t the standard term for this context, and a Likert-type scale is just a response format, not a method for identifying underlying structure.