Data analyses can be difficult because of the high
number of correlated behavioral items, so the items need to be organized in groups in order to reduce the probability of
chance findings from multiple analyses. This can be done through the construction of a priori factors or factor analytical
studies. One of the first attempts to reduce the NBAS behavioral items using factor analysis was developed by Osofsky and
O’Connell (1977) in a sample of 328 infants.