Program FACTOR at 10: origins, development and future directions

• Pere Joan Ferrando ^[1] ; Urbano Lorenzo-Seva ^[1]
  1. [1] Universitat Rovira i Virgili

     Universitat Rovira i Virgili

     Tarragona, España

     
• Localización: Psicothema, ISSN-e 1886-144X, ISSN 0214-9915, Vol. 29, Nº. 2, 2017, págs. 236-240
• Idioma: inglés
• DOI: 10.7334/psicothema2016.304
• Títulos paralelos:
  • 10 años del programa FACTOR: una revisión crítica de sus orígenes, desarrollo y líneas futuras
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo
• Dialnet Métricas: 85 Citas
• Resumen
  • español

    Antecedentes: se pretende dar una visión conceptual del origen, desarrollos y futuras líneas de investigación de FACTOR, un popular programa no comercial de análisis factorial (AF). Método: el estudio se organiza en tres partes. En la primera se discute FACTOR en su etapa inicial (2006-2012) como un programa AF tradicional con opciones novedosas. En la segunda se discute la etapa actual (2013-2016) en la que FACTOR se presenta ya como un programa general enmarcado tanto en los modelos de ecuaciones estructurales como en la teoría de respuesta a los ítems. En la tercera parte, finalmente se discute la esperada evolución futura del programa. Resultados: en la actualidad FACTOR ha alcanzado un grado de desarrollo técnico comparable al software comercial, ofreciendo opciones no disponibles en otros programas. Discusión: se discuten algunas limitaciones, así como varios puntos que requieren cambios o mejoras. Se discute también el funcionamiento del programa dentro de la comunidad de usuarios.

  • English

    Background: We aim to provide a conceptual view of the origins, development and future directions of FACTOR, a popular free program for fitting the factor analysis (FA) model. Method: The study is organized into three parts. In the first part we discuss FACTOR in its initial period (2006-2012) as a traditional FA program with many new and cutting-edge features. The second part discusses the present period (2013-2016) in which FACTOR has developed into a comprehensive program embedded in the framework of structural equation modelling and item response theory. The third part discusses expected future developments. Results: at present FACTOR has attained a degree of technical development comparable to commercial software, and offers options not available elsewhere. Discussion: We discuss several shortcomings as well as points that require changes or improvements. We also discuss the functioning of FACTOR within its community of users.

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