Seven Decades of Factor Analysis: From Yela to the Present Day

I review some key developments in the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) model from the 1940s to the present day with Yela as the reference point.

The study is organized in three parts. The first part (until 1950) discusses EFA during Yela's formative years. The second part reviews the evolution of the model from Yela's return to Spain to the end of the century: the development of factor analysis (FA) as a statistical method, and the advent, and unstoppable rise, of the confirmatory model. An interlude follows in which some key problems are discussed. The third part discusses the resurgence of the model in the 21st century and the advances made in this period. I end by discussing the current situation in the field.

I discuss the validity of Yela's views regarding FA, and criticise how technical and instrumental developments have favoured, in most cases, mindless applications of the technique in which the substantive and design aspects of the research are grossly neglected.

Although new technical developments are still needed, EFA is finally at par with any structural model. So, its time again to give importance to what is really important: the design and the substantive aspects.