Question

What is the difference between orthogonal rotation and oblique rotations. When would we choose either, or neither.

Answer 1

An important difference between Orthogonal and oblique rotation is that they can create a factors that are either correlated or uncorrelated with each other.

Rotation that allows for correlation are called oblique rotation while the rotation that assumes that factors are not correlated are call orthogonal rotation.

When our data are not correlated then we can use oblique rotation and if data are correlated or associated then we can use orthogonal rotation. If the angles between two axes are less than 90 degree then we use oblique rotation and if there is 90 degree then we think of orthogonal. But when there is no association between variables exist then neither of these two can be used.