Does Sample Size Influence the Factor Structure of A Construct: A Validation Study on Academic Delay of Gratification Scale

Abstract

In this study, the researchers investigated the association between sample size and factor structure of aconstruct, by using the“Academic delay of gratification scale prepared by Bembenutty and Karabenick (1996)”. 488 students (277 boys and 211 girls) pursing professional courses like pharmacy, law, education and engineering from the Muslim community were the sample subject. CFAwas applied with the help of SPSS Amos Ver.23 to get the factor loadings and goodness of fit measures for item to sample size ratios of 1:10, 1:20, 1:30, 1:40 and 1:50. The study reports an improvement in the measures of the factor structure up to the item to sample size ratio of 1:30. The measures show no appreciable improvement for higher item to sample size ratio.