Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for testing validity and reliability instrument in the study of education

Abstract

The exploit of factor analysis is to ordeal the hypotheses about the dormant traits that underlie a set of measured variables. The traditional factor analysis approaches such as Pearson correlation and Cronbach's Alpha have some limitations. The aim of this paper is to draw on the application of Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) in Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), to test the validity and reliability of instruments in the field of education. To trounce the drawbacks of Pearson correlation and Cronbach's Alpha in the measurement of validity and reliability, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), have been used to test the validity and reliability of the instruments. Various tests i.e. Regression Weights, Standardized Regression Weights, Convergent Validity, Variance Extracted, Construct Reliability, and Discriminant Validity have depicted improved result with better validity and reliability.