The magnetic excited states of ⁴⁸Ca below particle emission threshold (i.e. up to approximately 10 MeV) are studied in the framework of the random-phase approximation. The results of the calculation are compared with the available experimental data. The obtained wavefunctions are analysed by calculating the form factors corresponding to the excitation of the different states by means of inelastic electron scattering. In particular, the role of the nondominant one-particle-one-hole components of the RPA wavefunctions is investigated. Special attention is paid to the excitation energy region between 6 and 8 MeV because of its particular characteristics regarding the details of the residual nucleon-nucleon interaction.