Hierarchical Factor Analysis of the Quick Discrimination Index

Abstract

Prior factor analytic studies of the Quick Discrimination Index (QDI) have used principal components factor analysis to develop and validate a three-factor structure with a racially heterogeneous sample. In this investigation, Study 1 explored the factor structure of the QDI with a sample of 428 White university students using a hierarchical factor analysis. The analysis showed that a structure with four first-order factors and one second-order factor was the best fit for the data. Study 2 tested the original three-factor structure and a higher order factor structure from Study 1 in a confirmatory factor analysis using a sample of 363 White students. The implications for interpretation and future research are discussed.