SEM

The Four Models You Meet in Structural Equation Modeling

A multiple regression model could be conceptualized using Structural Equation Model path diagrams. That’s the simplest SEM you can create, but its real power lies in expanding on that regression model. Here I will discuss four types of structural equation models.

Path Analysis

More interesting research questions could be asked and answered using Path Analysis. Path Analysis is a type of structural equation modeling without latent variables. [Read more…] about The Four Models You Meet in Structural Equation Modeling

One of the Many Advantages to Running Confirmatory Factor Analysis with a Structural Equation Model

by Jeff Meyer 9 Comments

Based on questions I’ve been asked by clients, most analysts prefer using the factor analysis procedures in their general statistical software to run a confirmatory factor analysis.

While this can work in some situations, you’re losing out on some key information you’d get from a structural equation model. This article highlights one of these.

First Steps in Structural Equation Modeling: Confirmatory Factor Analysis

by Jeff Meyer 6 Comments

Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) is the fundamental first step in running most types of SEM models. You want to do this first to verify the measurement quality of any and all latent constructs you’re using in your structural equation model.

Member Training: Reporting Structural Equation Modeling Results

by Jeff Meyer

The last, and sometimes hardest, step for running any statistical model is writing up results.

As with most other steps, this one is a bit more complicated for structural equation models than it is for simpler models like linear regression.

Any good statistical report includes enough information that someone else could replicate your results with your data.

Member Training: Latent Growth Curve Models

by Jeff Meyer 2 Comments

What statistical model would you use for longitudinal data to analyze between-subject differences with within-subject change?

Most analysts would respond, “a mixed model,” but have you ever heard of latent growth curves? How about latent trajectories, latent curves, growth curves, or time paths, which are other names for the same approach?

[Read more…]

Three Myths and Truths About Model Fit in Confirmatory Factor Analysis

by guest contributer 1 Comment

by Christos Giannoulis, PhD

We mentioned before that we use Confirmatory Factor Analysis to evaluate whether the relationships among the variables are adequately represented by the hypothesized factor structure. The factor structure (relationships between factors and variables) can be based on theoretical justification or previous findings.

Once we estimate the relationship indicators of those factors, the next task is to determine the extent to which these structure specifications are consistent with the data. The main question we are trying to answer is: