The orthogonal rotation of factors in clinical research: a critical note

Examined the current trends in rotation procedures used in factor analyses in clinical research. It was found that orthogonal rotations, usually varimax procedure, were overwhelmingly the rotational choice. It was suggested that in many analyses, investigators in this area of research may be imposing orthogonality on data that might better be interpreted as oblique factors. Guidelines were presented for consideration in the selection and reporting of rotational procedures in clinical research.