University of Michigan
National Center for Postsecondary Improvement
Project
5.3 on Student Learning and Assessment
The Faculty Survey:
Use of Factor Scales and Individual Variables in Survey Data Analysis
Current research conducted by Project 5.3 of the National Center for Postsecondary Improvement (NCPI) indicates that several variables factor particularly well into scales that can be used to analyze survey data. Researchers may want to consider the following list of variables and factor scales when designing survey instruments and/or analyzing survey data.
NCPI scale reliabilities are listed for those interested in using some of the variable sets as factors. The scale reliabilities are based on a sample of seven institutions (two community colleges, one liberal arts college, two comprehensive institutions, and one research university).