The ubiquity of common method variance: The case of the Big Five

► CFA models with method factors fit Big Five questionnaire data significantly better than models without method factors. ► Models with a general method factor and method factors specific to item wording provided the best fit. ► Big Five dimensions in models estimating method factors were more nearly orthogonal than Big Five scale scores. ► Relationships to other variables suggest that the method factors represent substantive personality characteristics.