Polychoric Correlation With Ordinal Data in Nursing Research.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Measures in nursing research frequently use Likert scales that yield ordinal data. Confirmatory factor analysis using Pearson correlations commonly applies to such data, although this violates ordinal scale assumptions.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to illustrate the application of polychoric correlations and polychoric confirmatory factor analysis as a valid alternative statistical approach using data on family members' perceived support from nurses as an exemplar.

Methods

A primary analysis of cross-sectional data from a sample of 800 participants using data collected with the Iceland-Family Perceived Support Questionnaire was conducted using polychoric versus Pearson correlations, analysis of variance, and confirmatory factor analysis.

Results<

SUBMITTER: Kiwanuka F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9617753 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov-Dec 01

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature