title: SOME NOTES ON THE NUMBER OF FACTORS PROBLEM.
abstract: The epistemological status of factors-that is, components, common factors, and image factors-is briefly discussed. Implications for the number of factors problem, for varying views of factor analysis, and for the particular factor analytic model employed are noted; and the rationales under- lying the best known decision rules regarding the correct number of factors are discussed. The paper presents the results of a study in which reanalyses were performed on 17 correlation matrices found in the literature, and eight well-known rules and one new rule for determining the correct number of factors were applied. The rules are compared in light of the factor analytic model implied in each case, and some implications for practice are noted.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Hakstian
authors.forename: V J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Muller