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A clinical researcher conducts a factor analysis on a diagnostic symptom checklist and identifies two independent factors: 'Somatic Depression' and 'Cognitive Anxiety'. If a patient scores in the 99th percentile on the 'Somatic Depression' factor, what can the researcher conclude about the patient's score on the 'Cognitive Anxiety' factor based on the principle of factor independence?
Question: A clinical researcher conducts a factor analysis on a diagnostic symptom checklist and identifies two independent factors: 'Somatic Depression' and 'Cognitive Anxiety'. If a patient scores in the 99th percentile on the 'Somatic Depression' factor, what can the researcher conclude about the patient's score on the 'Cognitive Anxiety' factor based on the principle of factor independence?
Sample answer: The researcher cannot conclude or predict anything about the patient's score on the 'Cognitive Anxiety' factor. Because the two factors are independent, the patient's high score on 'Somatic Depression' does not determine their measurement on 'Cognitive Anxiety', meaning the patient could score either high or low on that factor.
Key points:
- A high score on one factor does not predict or determine the score on the other.
- Factors represent independent constructs rather than mutually exclusive categories.
- The patient could score either high or low on the 'Cognitive Anxiety' factor.
Rubric: The response must state that the patient's score on 'Cognitive Anxiety' cannot be predicted or determined because the factors operate independently, meaning the patient could score either high or low on 'Cognitive Anxiety' regardless of their 'Somatic Depression' score.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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A clinical researcher conducts a factor analysis on a diagnostic symptom checklist and identifies two independent factors: 'Somatic Depression' and 'Cognitive Anxiety'. If a patient scores in the 99th percentile on the 'Somatic Depression' factor, what can the researcher conclude about the patient's score on the 'Cognitive Anxiety' factor based on the principle of factor independence?