Queries on Item Reduction, CFA, and Data Analysis Approach in PhD Study

[Yashi Kapil]

Dear group members,

I am a research scholar conducting a mixed-method study. Initially in the qualitative phase, I identified six key variables using thematic analysis based on interviews. For the quantitative phase, I selected validated scales for each construct, which together resulted in a questionnaire containing 72 items. Given the length, I am concerned that it may be difficult to get participants to complete it.

I would therefore like to seek your expert opinions on the following points:

1. Based on the interviews and pilot test results, should I remove items from the questionnaire to make it more concise?

2. Is it mandatory to perform Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) before proceeding to the structural model?

3. Can PLS-SEM provide complete measurement and structural model results, or do I need to use AMOS for CFA and validation?

I really look forward for your guidance and suggestions.

Regards

Yashi Kapil

Research Scholar, School of Management 

Bennett University

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” – Anaïs Nin

_____________________________________________

Vineet Jain (Chancellor) Inspiration

[Neeraj Kaushik]

Here are my inputs:

1. Yes, you can do so, IRT is also very helpful here.

2. Yes, CFA sensures validity and reliability of every construct, hence this step is mandatory.

3. PLS-SEM is an algorithm for computation like OLS or MLE method.

The software SmartPLS is sufficient for the measurement and structural model computations.

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[Yashi Kapil]

Thank you so much, sir, for your valuable insights.
Your clarification on IRT, CFA, and PLS-SEM has been immensely helpful. I'll proceed with your suggestions. 

Regards

Yashi Kapil

Research Scholar

Bennett University

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From: dataanalys...@googlegroups.com <dataanalys...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Neeraj Kaushik <kaushi...@gmail.com>
Sent: 11 November 2025 05:25
To: dataanalys...@googlegroups.com <dataanalys...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: Queries on Item Reduction, CFA, and Data Analysis Approach in PhD Study

 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/dataanalysistraining/CAAd%3Dc8NqUCcqdJ1aW0RykYox3faa1X%3DSLUxZ55FB4nGQpHWk3w%40mail.gmail.com.

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” – Anaïs Nin

_____________________________________________

Vineet Jain (Chancellor) Inspiration

[sandhya gupta]

This is my question too sir

I had got responses but of 100 people now i want to conduct pilot test so that my 49 items reduce somehow, tried efa butits not giving the true picture of factor loadings, please suggest how i can check my model validity. Although i will perform SEM PLS with sufficient number of response

[Neeraj Kaushik]

IRT is the solution

I shall discussabout it sooon

On Fri, Nov 21, 2025 at 1:38 PM sandhya gupta <sa.gup...@gmail.com> wrote:

This is my question too sir

I had got responses but of 100 people now i want to conduct pilot test so that my 49 items reduce somehow, tried efa butits not giving the true picture of factor loadings, please suggest how i can check my model validity. Although i will perform SEM PLS with sufficient number of response

--
The members of this group are expected to follow the following Protocols:
1. Please search previous posts in the group before posting the question.
2. Don't write the query in someone's post. Always use the option of New topic for the new question. You can do this by writing to dataanaly...@googlegroups.com
3. It’s better to give a proper subject to your post/query. It'll help others while searching.
4. Never write Open-ended queries. This group intends to help research scholars, NOT TO WORK FOR THEM.
5. Never write words like URGENT in your posts. People will help when they are free.
6. Never upload any information about National Seminars/Conferences. Send such information
in personal emails and feel free to share any RESEARCH-related information.
7. No Happy New Year, Happy Diwali, Happy Holi, Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary, etc. allowed in this group.
8. Asking or sharing Research Papers is NOT ALLOWED.
9. You can share your questionnaire only once.
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