Unidimensional factor models imply weaker partial correlations than zero-order correlations

Riet Bork (), Raoul P. P. P. Grasman and Lourens J. Waldorp
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Riet Bork: University of Amsterdam
Raoul P. P. P. Grasman: University of Amsterdam
Lourens J. Waldorp: University of Amsterdam

Psychometrika, 2018, vol. 83, issue 2, No 10, 443-452

Abstract: Abstract In this paper we present a new implication of the unidimensional factor model. We prove that the partial correlation between two observed variables that load on one factor given any subset of other observed variables that load on this factor lies between zero and the zero-order correlation between these two observed variables. We implement this result in an empirical bootstrap test that rejects the unidimensional factor model when partial correlations are identified that are either stronger than the zero-order correlation or have a different sign than the zero-order correlation. We demonstrate the use of the test in an empirical data example with data consisting of fourteen items that measure extraversion.

Keywords: factor models; partial correlations; zero-order correlations (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1007/s11336-018-9607-z

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