Program FACTOR at 10: Origins, development and future directions

Pere J. Ferrando, Urbano Lorenzo‐Seva

Psicothema · 2017 · 530 citations · 23 references

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Concepts

TL;DR

FACTOR began as a traditional factor analysis program (2006‑2012) with many new and cutting‑edge features, then evolved into a comprehensive program embedded in structural equation modelling and item response theory (2013‑2016). The authors aim to provide a conceptual overview of FACTOR’s origins, development, and future directions. The study is organized into three parts, discussing expected future developments, the program’s technical maturity comparable to commercial software, its unique options, and areas needing improvement. FACTOR has reached a technical level comparable to commercial software, offers options not available elsewhere, yet still exhibits shortcomings that warrant further refinement.

Abstract

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.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.at present FACTOR has attained a degree of technical development comparable to commercial software, and offers options not available elsewhere.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.

References

23