Iterative least squares estimates of communality: Initial estimate need not affect stabilized value

A common criticism of iterative least squares estimates of communality is that method of initial estimation may influence stabilized values. As little systematic research on this topic has been performed, the criticism appears to be based on cumulated experience with empirical data sets. In the present paper, two studies are reported in which four types of initial estimate (unities, squared multiple correlations, highestr, and zeroes) and four levels of convergence criterion were employed using four widely available computer packages (BMDP, SAS, SPSS, and SOUPAC). The results suggest that initial estimates have no effect on stabilized communality estimates when a stringent criterion for convergence is used, whereas initial estimates appear to affect stabilized values employing rather gross convergence criteria. There were no differences among the four computer packages for matrices without Heywood cases.     

Brain tumor and dying--exposition of W. M. Diggelmann in "Shadows--the diary of a disease"

The phases of a patient's struggle to come to terms with a malignant disease and impending death are illustrated by means of W. M. Diggelmann's book "Schatten--Tagebuch einer Krankheit" (Shadow--Diary of an Illness). Their expression, mutual influences and contents are documented by quotations.