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Gulliksen’s pool: A quick tool for preliminary detection of problematic items in item factor analysis

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  • Pere J Ferrando
  • Urbano Lorenzo-Seva
  • M Teresa Bargalló-Escrivà

Abstract

Exploratory factor analysis is widely used for item analysis in the earlier stages of scale development, usually with large pools of items. In this scenario, the presence of inappropriate or ineffective items can hamper the process of analysis, making it very difficult to correctly assess dimensionality and structure. To minimize, this (quite frequent) problem, we propose and implement a simple procedure designed to flag potentially problematic items before we specify any particular factorial solution. The procedure defines regions of item appropriateness and efficiency based on the combined impact of two prior item features: extremeness and consistency. The general proposal is related to the most widely used frameworks for item analysis. The limits of the appropriateness regions are obtained by extensive simulation in conditions that mimic those found in applications. An Item Response Theory index of prior item efficiency is then defined, and a combined approach for selecting the most effective and problem-free item sub-set is proposed. The proposal is useful to normal-range measures, such as questionnaire surveys that elicit reports about non-extreme attitudes, facts, beliefs or states, or personality questionnaires that measure normal-range constructs. The procedure is implemented in a freeware software.

Suggested Citation

  • Pere J Ferrando & Urbano Lorenzo-Seva & M Teresa Bargalló-Escrivà, 2023. "Gulliksen’s pool: A quick tool for preliminary detection of problematic items in item factor analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(8), pages 1-16, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0290611
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290611
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lee Cronbach & Willard Warrington, 1952. "Efficiency of multiple-choice tests as a function of spread of item difficulties," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 17(2), pages 127-147, June.
    2. Frederic Lord, 1952. "The relation of the reliability of multiple-choice tests to the distribution of item difficulties," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 17(2), pages 181-194, June.
    3. Louis Guttman, 1956. "“Best possible” systematic estimates of communalities," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 21(3), pages 273-285, September.
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