Factor Analysis and Survey Design

This paper analyzes factor analysis, discussing both confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory factor analysis (EFA), as they relate to survey design. Shi et al. (2017) is discussed and compared to another study applying factor analysis by Tungkunanan (2020). A discussion of how factor analysis is used in my current field and potentially for COVID research is also explored. First, however, a discussion of the history of factor analysis, how it was designed, improved, and is currently understood dissects the logical and mathematical underpinnings. It is possible a survey that is validated can serve as a supplemental source of data for COVID research