Exploratory Factor Analysis with SAS

Interpretation of Factor Matrices

All extracted factors are initially orthogonal (Thompson, 2004), but remain so only as long as the rotation is orthogonal (we discussed this briefly in the section above). In practice, this results in interpretation of one matrix (a pattern matrix) when conducting an orthogonal rotation, and two matrices (a pattern and structure matrix) when conducting an oblique rotation. To further complicate interpretation, an unrotated factor matrix is always output, and a reference structure matrix is output when an oblique rotation is done —neither of which is traditionally interpreted. The presence of multiple matrices, whether they are to be interpreted or not, is a source of much confusion in practice.[6] Let’s start ...