The Comparability of the Factorial Validity of the Study Attitudes and Methods Survey in a High School Sample and in a University Sample

For each of two samples of high school and university students, both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of a correlation matrix of 18 subtests (three subtests for each of six factor scales of the Study Attitudes and Methods Survey [SAMS]) were completed. Irrespective of whether an exploratory or confirmatory factor analytic approach was used, six hypothesized factors were clearly defined in an oblique as well as an orthogonal structure. A visual examination of the corresponding exploratory and confirmatory factor solutions indicated that they were comparable in the configurations realized. Application of statistical criteria proposed by Jbreskog and Sorbom (1986) to demonstrate factorial invariance suggested, however, that invariance in factor structure of the two correlation matrixes between the two samples had not been achieved.