UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Statements A, B, C and E correctly describe factor analysis as a multivariate technique that uncovers latent dimensions, often through exploratory procedures, supports scale construction by grouping items and requires adequate sample size and meaningful correlations. Statement D is false because factor analysis is used precisely when there are many variables, not just two. Therefore, the combination including A, B, C and E and excluding D is the correct one.

Option A:
Option A is incomplete since it omits E, failing to highlight the practical requirements of sufficient sample size and inter-item correlations, which influence the stability of extracted factors.

Option B:
Option B is wrong because it excludes A and includes only B, C and E, thus not explicitly stating that the overall goal is to identify underlying dimensions from observed variables. Without A, the purpose of factor analysis is less clear.

Option C:
Option C is correct because it unites the conceptual purpose, exploratory nature, role in scale development and technical prerequisites of factor analysis, while rejecting the obviously incorrect restriction in D.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect as it accepts D and omits B, thereby misrepresenting factor analysis as a two-variable technique and ignoring the role of exploratory approaches in discovering factor structures.