Editing Factor analysis (section)

===Higher order factor analysis===

{{Confusing|date=March 2010}}

'''Higher-order factor analysis''' is a statistical method consisting of repeating steps factor analysis – [[oblique rotation]] – factor analysis of rotated factors.  Its merit is to enable the researcher to see the hierarchical structure of studied phenomena. To interpret the results, one proceeds either by [[matrix multiplication|post-multiplying]] the primary [[factor pattern matrix]] by the higher-order factor pattern matrices (Gorsuch, 1983) and perhaps applying a [[Varimax rotation]] to the result (Thompson, 1990) or by using a Schmid-Leiman solution (SLS, Schmid & Leiman, 1957, also known as Schmid-Leiman transformation) which attributes the [[Statistical dispersion|variation]] from the primary factors to the second-order factors.