The article provides a comprehensive guide to conducting factor analysis, a statistical technique used to estimate the underlying structure of variables in a dataset. It distinguishes between exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), emphasizing the importance of understanding the differences between these methods and principal component analysis (PCA). The article outlines a step-by-step process for conducting factor analysis, including item generation, screening, EFA, and CFA. It offers detailed instructions on using SPSS and LISREL software for these analyses, providing syntax examples and explanations. Key recommendations are provided for best practices, such as using parallel analysis to determine the number of factors, employing oblique rotation methods in EFA, and evaluating model fit using multiple criteria in CFA. The article concludes with general recommendations for sample size, factor extraction methods, rotation methods, and estimation methods, emphasizing the importance of proper factor analysis procedures to ensure valid results.The article provides a comprehensive guide to conducting factor analysis, a statistical technique used to estimate the underlying structure of variables in a dataset. It distinguishes between exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), emphasizing the importance of understanding the differences between these methods and principal component analysis (PCA). The article outlines a step-by-step process for conducting factor analysis, including item generation, screening, EFA, and CFA. It offers detailed instructions on using SPSS and LISREL software for these analyses, providing syntax examples and explanations. Key recommendations are provided for best practices, such as using parallel analysis to determine the number of factors, employing oblique rotation methods in EFA, and evaluating model fit using multiple criteria in CFA. The article concludes with general recommendations for sample size, factor extraction methods, rotation methods, and estimation methods, emphasizing the importance of proper factor analysis procedures to ensure valid results.