Polychoric correlation

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In statistics, polychoric correlation is a technique for estimating the correlation between two theorised normally distributed continuous latent variables, from two observed ordinal variables. Tetrachoric correlation is a special case of the polychoric correlation applicable when both observed variables are dichotomous. These names derive from the polychoric and tetrachoric series, mathematical expansions once, but no longer, used for estimation of these correlations.

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[edit] Applications and examples

This technique is frequently applied when analysing items on self-report instruments such as personality tests and surveys that often use response scales with a small number of response options (e.g., strongly disagree to strongly agree). The smaller the number of response categories, the more a correlation between latent continuous variables will tend to be attenuated. Lee, Poon & Bentler (1995) have recommended a two-step approach to factor analysis for assessing the factor structure of tests involving ordinally measured items. This aims to reduce the effect of statistical artifacts, such as the number of response scales or skewness of variables leading to items grouping together in factors.

[edit] Software

John Uebersax (http://www.john-uebersax.com/stat/tetra.htm) provides an extensive list of software for computing the polychoric correlation.

[edit] References

  • Lee, S.-Y., Poon, W. Y., & Bentler, P. M. (1995). "A two-stage estimation of structural equation models with continuous and polytomous variables". British Journal of Mathematical and Statistical Psychology, 48, 339–358.

[edit] External links

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