JSM 2005 Online Program

Abstract #304469

This is the preliminary program for the 2005 Joint Statistical Meetings in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Currently included in this program is the "technical" program, schedule of invited, topic contributed, regular contributed and poster sessions; Continuing Education courses (August 7-10, 2005); and Committee and Business Meetings. This on-line program will be updated frequently to reflect the most current revisions.

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Activity Number:	35
Type:	Contributed
Date/Time:	Sunday, August 7, 2005 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
Sponsor:	General Methodology
Abstract - #304469
Title:	Interpretation of Principal Components: Methodological Aspect
Author(s):	Lev Sverdlov*+
Companies:	Health Dialog Data Services
Address:	39 Forest Ave, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Keywords:	Factor analysis ; Principal components ; Interpretation ; Content ; Meaning
Abstract:	The role of intuition and knowledge of a content area is substantial in the interpretation of the results of factor analysis. Setting aside specific statistical issues, this report describes the strategy to facilitate the translation of the statistical results of principle components analysis (PCA) into a language of content and meaning (i.e., "surmising" the content of the statistically identified principal component or factor). The major elements of this strategy include presenting variables in a comparative way (e.g., "younger" vs. "older" instead of "age"), using mathematical and logical inversion to develop two contrasting (positive and negative) but logically equivalent presentations of each retained component, sorting absolute values of loadings in a descending order, and contrasting positive and negative presentations of the factor. The graphical presentation using these relationships also may facilitate the understanding and interpretation. The use of this strategy will be illustrated by the results of studies (Sverdlov et al. 2004). Philosophical issues related to the interpretation of the results of factor analysis will be discussed.

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