因素分析於護理研究中的一些應用問題探討

Factor Analysis: A Discussion of Practical Problems Commonly Encountered in Nursing Research

盧成皆(S. K. Lo)

《長庚護理》 7卷2期 (1996/06) Pp. 70-75

摘要

因素分析爲護理研究常用的統計方法之一，然在使用時常會過到一些一般數理統計課本或論文都沒有討論過的應用問題。本文即針對較常見的三個問題加以討論：（一）當研究的變項爲類別型變項或呈非常態分佈時，可考慮以各變項的相關矩陣作爲輸入，因爲不同類型的數據有不同的相關可供使用，非常態者亦可使用無母數相關，故此法可算是一種無母數因素分析，唯此法僅能愈用於描迷性或探測性的研究。（二）進行因素分析所需樣本數目雖然爲一個熱門話題，亦是一個很重要的問題，但可惜仍未有具數理統計理論或機率論爲基礎之答案，本文對此亦詳加說明。（三）在把較多之項目歸納爲較少之因子後，如何把同一因子內各項目合併，本文即提出一個加權方法，利用各因子內的因素負荷量，計算出各因子之加權總分，並舉例說明之。

關鍵字

因素分析 ； 護理研究 ； 樣本數目 ； 統計方法

並列摘要

Although factor analysis is widely used in nursing research, researchers still encounter practical problems not covered in mathematical statistics textbooks or journal articles. We therefore discuss some of the commonly raised questions here: (1) When variables of interest are categorical or do not follow the normal distribution, oat may consider using the correlation matrix as input to computer software. As various correlation measures, some of them for non-normal data, are available, this method can be considered a non-parametric factor analysis. However, It can only be applied to descriptive or exploratory studies, (2) Sample size required in a factor analysis Is often asked, but yet solutions based on statistical or probability theories are not available. This paper will have a detailed discussion. (3) After factor are found, how to assign factor scores to individuals arc often of concern. We suggest using the factor lodings to compute a weighted average score. Procedures involved in the calculations are explained with an example.

並列關鍵字

factor analysis ； nursing research ； sample size ； statistical methods