Exploratory Factor Analysis In The Workplace

In the journal article, Development and Psychometric Testing of the Nursing Workplace Relational Environment Scale (NWRES), the authors use quantitative research methods to examine construct validity and reliability of the NWRES (Duddle & Boughton, 2008). The authors discuss the process they utilize to design and test the psychometric components of the NWRES (Duddle & Boughton, 2009). The researchers asserted that there was a shortage of psychometric instruments designed to evaluate the relational environment of nurses in workplace (Duddle & Boughton, 2009). Moreover, they emphasize the need to understand how intraprofessional relationships, whether positive or negative, influence the working environment of nurses.
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Descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated to capture demographics of the respondents, and to ascertain the psychometric components of the NWRES using exploratory factor analysis (Duddle & Boughton, 2009). Using the results of the factor analysis, the authors were able to assert the construct validity of the survey instrument. Moreover, using Cronbach’s alpha, the researchers were able to confirm the reliability of the instrument by examining the internal consistency of the survey instrument (Duddle & Boughton, 2009). Looking at the quantitative methods used, the researchers did use methods discussed in Standish, Cook, and Campbell (2002), especially as it relates to construct validity and external validity. The authors discuss the limitations of the study including the generalizability of the NWRES. Because of the small sample size, the authors argue that the scale should be administered in different settings with a larger sample before conclusion can be made about generalization (Duddle & Boughton,
The authors conducted a thorough literature review to make known the key concepts central to the discussion of relational environments among of nurses in the workplace. Moreover, the authors described the process of how they developed the initial survey instrument, pilot test the 35-item survey and then refined the instrument to 28-items. In addition, the authors were able to explain how the final survey instrument was administered and how the data was analyzed. The authors provided details on the factor analysis conducted and explained how reliability was determined. The research study offered insight into the complexities of determining the validity and reliability of a survey