Partial confirmatory factor analysis: described and illustrated on the NEO-PI-R

Exploratory factor analytic (EFA) studies frequently conclude with the recommendation that future research should attempt to confirm the exploratively identified factor model solution via confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). In this article, I describe partial CFA (PCFA) as a technique to help researchers justify the recommendation of testing via CFA an EFA-derived model. Based on a Revised NEO Personality Inventory (Costa & McCrae, 1992) facet correlation matrix, the Five-factor model was examined via PCFA and was found not to be appropriate for testing via CFA. I conclude that researchers should supplement an EFA with a PCFA if there is an interest in eventually attempting to confirm the exploratively derived factor model via CFA.