A factor analysis based selection process for predicting successful university color guard club members

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to determine how to place students in the most appropriate club, to save training time and expenses, and maximize club performance. To this end, this research utilizes the example of the color guard club at Chienkuo Technology University (CTU). First, the authors researched the characteristics needed to be a color guard member. Second, a series of tests for measuring these characteristics was designed. Third, the authors administered the tests to all the club members and recorded the results. Fourth, after the club members had received one year of training, the authors ran regression analysis by using data from the tests of those who successfully passed the training. From this, the authors obtained a regression model. The authors then ran logistic regression analysis and discriminant analysis on the test data of all initial color guard club members, including those who eventually passed the training and those who eventually withdrew, to establish screening norms. Last, using factor analysis, the authors found the latent factors. These factors, along with the screening norms, can serve as a foundation for future selection of color guard members. This process of selecting club members scientifically may be adopted by other clubs in order to match students and clubs most effectively.

Introduction

Chienkuo Technology University (CTU) established its color guard in 2000, and the color guard is now the most popular student club at CTU. Because many students sign up for it, the school has invested significant amounts of money in uniforms, equipment, and training. However, typically, less than 50% of the students are qualified to actually perform.

Due to the high selection standards of the CTU color guard, the authors of this research have chosen the color guard as the subject of a study of how to select club members. First the authors identified the characteristic factors required of successful color guard members. Then, these characteristic factors were used to design a series of tests for all potential color guard members to take when first entering the club. The test results were recorded and used to establish member-screening norms once the final qualified color guard members were selected. Along with the member-screening norms, latent factors of successful color guards were also identified and used to determine the basis of future guard-member selection.