An Interactive Tool for the Factor Analysis of Environmental Social Representations

Wind turbines are a focal point of contemporary environmental debates, symbolizing progress in renewable energy but also generating significant social tension. This study introduces FactoShinySR, a web-based application designed to facilitate correspondence factor analysis (Corr.F.A.) for studying social representations, making complex analyses accessible to researchers without advanced programming skills. Using data from 323 participants who completed free association tasks and Likert-scale questionnaires, the tool was applied to examine social representations, attitudes toward wind turbines, and trust in authorities. Corr.F.A. revealed two primary dimensions: ecological versus critical attitudes and systemic optimism versus concrete opposition. Positive representations highlighted environmental benefits, while negative perceptions focused on local impacts, such as noise, visual disruption, and ecological harm. Trust in authorities emerged as a critical factor shaping attitudes. FactoShinySR proved instrumental in visualizing the complex socio-representational structures surrounding wind turbines, offering a platform for analyzing environmental perceptions. By bridging methodological complexity and practical application, this tool enables researchers and practitioners to better understand and address public social representations.