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Bayesian Factor Analysis for Mixed Ordinal and Continuous Responses

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 January 2017

Kevin M. Quinn
Kevin M. Quinn*
Affiliation:
Department of Government and CBRSS, 34 Kirkland Street, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138. e-mail: kevin_quinn@harvard.edu
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Abstract

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Many situations exist in which a latent construct has both ordinal and continuous indicators. This presents a problem for the applied researcher because standard measurement models are not designed to accommodate mixed ordinal and continuous data. I address this problem by formulating a measurement model that is appropriate for such mixed multivariate responses. This model unifies standard normal theory factor analysis and item response theory models for ordinal data. I detail a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm for model fitting. I apply the model to cross-national data on political-economic risk and find that the model works well. Software for fitting this model is publicly available in the MCMCpack (Martin and Quinn 2004, “MCMCpack 0.4–8”) R package.

Type
Research Article
Information
Political Analysis , Volume 12 , Issue 4: Special Issue on Bayesian Methods , Autumn 2004 , pp. 338 - 353
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Political Methodology 2004 

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