Paper Information - Maximum likelihood estimation and factor analysis

Maximum likelihood estimation and factor analysis

Fisher's method of maximum likelihood is applied to the problem of estimation in factor analysis, as initiated by Lawley, and found to lead to a generalization of the Eckart matrix approximation problem. The solution of this in a special case is applied to show how test fallability enters into factor determination, it being noted that the method of communalities underestimates the number of factors.

G. Young

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