METHODS OF VARIMAX ROTATION IN FACTOR ANALYSIS WITH APPLICATIONS IN CLINICAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY

Orthogonal rotations,e.g,the varimax rotation,are common practice in factor analysis.However,the term varimax rotation does not refer to a unique procedure,since several different types of rotation are possible.In this paper six different types of rotation are examined(raw varimax of loadings,normal varimax of loadings,raw and normal varimax of scores,eigenvalue-weighted varimax of loadings and Arthur varimax)from both a theoretical and practical point of view.It can be concluded that an adequate application of these methods can often simplify the interpretation of the calculated factors.