The Use of Factor Analysis in Investigation of Alternative Educational Concepts’ Desirability

Čulig, Benjamin. (2005). The Use of Factor Analysis in Investigation of Alternative Educational Concepts’ Desirability. Pedagogijska istraživanja, 2(2). pp. 299-312. ISSN 1334-7888

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Abstract

This paper, basically methodological, is concerned with the demonstration of use of factor analysis in investigation of desirability of alternative educational concepts in population of students of the University of Zagreb. The study was carried out on a random, representative and stratified sample (N=360). The scale of desirability of basic educational concepts contained 29 items concerning the traditional educational concept as well as alternative educational concepts: Waldorf, Montessori and Summerhill. Factor analysis under the component model with GK criterion for factor extraction and with purification of factor solution yielded three latent dimensions: 1. UNACCEPTANCE OF THE SUMMERHILL CONCEPT; 2. TRADITIONAL EDUCATION; and 3. EDUCATION BASED ON INDEPENDENCE, PLAY AND SATISFACTION WITH LEARNING. The first two actors are characterized by unacceptance of both Summerhill and traditional concept, while the third one is a combination of ideas pertaining to two schools— Waldorf and Montessori. The data indicate the acceptance of general educational principles, but not of the suggested means of their realization. The subjects were also opponent to educational radicalism. Therefore we conclude that the desirable educational concepts are those enabling subjects to intervene into primary and secondary socialization. The methodological aspect of this study has shown that respect for and application of basic methodological assumptions successfully removes „surplus” variables from interpretation, making it more transparent, and conceptual presumptions plausible. Consequently, it should be concluded that factor analysis is not appropriate for the data in its own right, but depends on their structure, and thus should be more or less customized to the data

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