Harman's Single-Factor Test
HR & WorkReliability: method-level3 sample items
About this scale
An exploratory-factor-analysis approach: load all items into a single EFA. If a single unrotated factor accounts for >50% variance, common-method bias may be substantial.
Sample item(s)
“Run unrotated EFA on all substantive items”
“Examine first unrotated factor's percentage of total variance”
“If >50%, consider further bias controls”
Reliability
Reported internal consistency: method-level. As a rule of thumb, Cronbach’s α ≥ .70 is considered acceptable, ≥ .80 good, and ≥ .90 excellent for established measures.
Notes
Foundational CMB review; Harman's test is one of several recommended approaches.
Source & citation
Podsakoff, P. M., MacKenzie, S. B., Lee, J. Y., & Podsakoff, N. P. (2003): Common method biases in behavioral research: A critical review of the literature and recommended remedies. Journal of Applied Psychology, Vol. 88, No. 5, pp. 879–903.
Source. Scale details are summarised from the publication cited above. Always consult the original source for the full item set, scoring, and permission to use.
Use it in your research
Need to check the reliability or psychometrics of this scale in your own data? Use the free DrAIStudio research tools:
Cronbach’s alpha calculator
All statistical calculators
Search the full Scale Atlas
Academic writing humanizer