Appropriateness and Limitations of Factor Analysis Methods Utilised in Psychology

Structural modelling techniques and application of models that extract latent variables are recent predominant techniques in the applied multivariate statistical procedures in social sciences. We believe that correlation studies can provide adequate fi ndings if they are supported by logical analysis or causal modelling procedures. It is important to emphasize that factor analysis methods alone do not reveal the cause of covariability and that the fi nal result of factor analytical investigation depends, in part, on the decisions and interpretations of the researcher. The question of the minimum sample size in factor analysis, ambiguousness of results obtained by FA and mathematical problems in the use of FA is particularly scrupulously discussed in this paper. Furthermore, the effect of the factor analysis of data obtained from experiments on the scientifi c paradigm was analyzed, with emphasis on the current problems with its application in social sciences research. Neither method, including factor analysis, is suffi cient to answer all problem issues in the fi eld of psychology and kinesiology. Therefore, it is necessary to combine complementary methods within the research which will allow a more comprehensive analysis of the researched phenomena and a greater validity of empirical results. Finally, reducing theories in psychology to a psychometric method and theories in kinesiology to a kinesiometric method is an anomaly of numerous quantitative studies within these scientifi c disciplines, making identifi cation, instead of explanation of multi-causal nature of psychological and kinesiological phenomena, a primary focus of the research.