Appropriateness and Limitations of Factor Analysis Methods Utilised in Psychology and Kinesiology - Part I

The goal of the paper was to depict the status of FA from the historical and contemporary aspects of trait psychology and kinesiology research along with the guidelines for the use of FA methods. Researchers in psychology and kinesiology apply factor analytical methods in research of abilities and traits with the purpose of developing hierarchical theories of personality organization. However, limiting oneself to a single research approach with the purpose of developing a classifi cation of abilities and personality traits is restrictive, determining our understanding of human behaviour according to a certain theoretical perspective. Furthermore, researchers in psychology and kinesiology have different approaches according to application of FA in identifying people’s abilities and traits and to the number of abilities and traits used for describing personality. The development of research methodology which defi nes latent structural relationships inherently brings the necessity to reconsider appropriateness and limitations of factor analysis application in psychology and kinesiology. Statistical technique of factor analysis is used as a part of the nomothetic model to answer questions within the theory of abilities and traits which correspond to the personality structure in a more general sense. Through a problem-based approach, factor rotations, the possible ambiguity of the results obtained and the degree of correspondence between different research studies were considered. Furthermore, the appropriateness of strategies of the research approach in the usage of FA methods was illustrated. In accordance, examples of problems in the usage of FA methods were elaborated.