RESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the application of factor analysis in creating a new health-related questionnaire for evaluating quality of life, the Chinese for Quality of Life Instrument (ChQOL).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundred and seventy-three subjects selected from two provinces of North China (Ningxia) and South China (Guangdong) were investigated by ChQOL, and the preliminary version was completed with factor analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Fifty items were developed using factor analysis. The final structure model of ChQOL was confirmed through the screening and verification of factor structural model on the 78 items of ChQOL, a new questionnaire with more rational structure was confirmed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Factor analysis is an effective method in developing new questionnaire.</p>