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Investigating the Structure of the WJ-III Cognitive in Early School Age Through Two Exploratory Bifactor Analysis Procedures

Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment

Published online on

Abstract

Two exploratory bifactor methods (e.g., Schmid–Leiman [SL] and exploratory bifactor analysis [EBFA]) were used to investigate the structure of the Woodcock–Johnson III (WJ-III) Cognitive in early school age (age 6-8). The SL procedure is recognized by factor analysts as a preferred method for EBFA. Jennrich and Bentler recently developed an alternative EBFA procedure. They claim that EBFA more readily produces independent cluster structure and overcomes the proportionality constraint experienced by the SL. The results of both analyses support the preeminence of the g factor at age 6 to 8. Examination of omega coefficients, the divergent factor structure, and the small amount of variance accounted for by the lower order factors suggests caution when interpreting beyond the higher order factor. Implications for interpretation of the WJ-III Cognitive at age 6 to 8 are discussed.