structural equation modeling, a multivariate technique popular in social sciences. It is based on formulating a set of linear relations between variables, some of which may be latent, and estimating the whole system, typically by analyzing the covariance matrix of the observed variables.
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Testing for a second order factor using SEM package
The following model specification works when testing for first order factors, but when I attempt to test for a second order factor by adding the last 4 lines in the model, I get the error message ...
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1answer
195 views
Regression analysis with factor scores as explanatory variable
I intend to use factor scores as derived from exploratory factor analysis in subsequent multivariate regression analysis, as an explanatory variable.
I've read in multiple books/papers that ...
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2answers
161 views
Ridging a singular covariance matrix (SEM)
Structural equation models sometimes cannot be fit due to a singular sample covariance matrix. Now some authors suggest to apply a "gentle ridging" to the diagonal which helps (this is for example ...
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1answer
74 views
Simulate data for path model
How does one simulate data for a path model? Below is an example path model with parameters b1, b2, b3, b4, b5, e1, e2 and e3.
I would like to investigate how sample size affects my estimates and ...
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1answer
141 views
The organization as a unit of analysis and sampling issue
I'm doing a quantitative study entitled "Technology Transfer and Competitive Advantages in Oil and Gas Companies".
In my study, the unit of analysis is the organization and there are only 9 oil and ...
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2answers
105 views
Problem with multiple group CFA with censored variables using Mplus
I'm having problems running a multigroup CFA in Mplus for my dissertation, based on the established 4-factor model of the Hamilton Depression Scale (21 items). My dataset includes 4 left censored ...
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1answer
485 views
Is a multigroup confirmatory factor analysis appropriate for comparing the measurement model across two groups?
Background: Before commencing treatment 180 participants completed a baseline 17-item Hamilton depression rating scale (HDRS), which is a likert scale. Because of the treatment, half developed ...
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1answer
143 views
Whether to apply structural equation modelling separately to each of a set of heterogeneous correlation matrices in a meta-analysis context?
I'm in the process of performing an Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) meta-analysis on some psychological data. Ultimately I want to examine a mediational model based on a set of correlation ...
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1answer
385 views
Using SEM or multiple regression for analyzing questionnaire data with multiple 'sub-items'
I am currently doing my MBA and I am attempting to find out what variables affect new student intake at the university which I am working at. My model is based on the 7Ps of the marketing mix ...
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1answer
156 views
Using total score from multi-scale instrument in structural equation modeling
I wonder if you can help me to get the right answer to a question about structural equation modeling. Imagine someone trying to validate a questionnaire using component factor analysis that ...
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1answer
160 views
Subscales (not items) as indicators of latent variables in SEM
I have a sample (n=200) that I have collected questionnaire data from. Each participant will complete 5 questionnaires that capture different behaviours and all of my 5 questionnaires include between ...
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1answer
203 views
What is the difference between a nested and non-nested model in CFA?
I thought it had to do with varying numbers of factors but based on the literature I have read it seems to do more with fixing/freeing of parameters. Any info would be greatly appreciated!
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1answer
767 views
Interpreting AIC and BIC fit
I'm writing a CFA paper, and I have run into some trouble interpreting the AIC and BIC. This is my first paper using continuous variables, thus the first time I will be reporting these fit statistics ...
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230 views
Fixing error variance in a path analysis to model measurement error in scales using sem package
I want to construct a path analysis model that can account for measurement error in totally aggregated parcels, which refer to parcels where all of the items in a scale are summed or averaged. If I am ...
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2answers
1k views
SEM with binary dependent variable
Much like with regression, handling binary dependent variables in SEM requires special considerations. In particular, some of these are noted on Dave Garson's Structural Equation Modeling and include:
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3answers
661 views
A multitrait-multimethod matrix and data set
I am working my way through Multitrait-Multimethod Matrix in a psychometrics class. We're only required to be able to analyze them but I'd really like to be able to construct them. I think I am able ...
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381 views
Help with SEM modeling (OpenMx, polycor)
I have lots of problem with one data set to which I am trying to apply SEM.
We suppose the existence of 5 latent factors A, B, C, D, E, with indicators resp. A1 to A5 (ordered factors), B1 to B3 ...
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3answers
519 views
Repeated measures structural equation modeling
I need to analyse a dataset of clinical rehabilitation data. I am interested in hypothesis-driven relationships between quantified "input" (amount of therapy) and changes in health status. Although ...
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1answer
573 views
When can RMSEA be zero?
If $\text{RMSEA} = 0$, it means $\chi^2 < df$.
Does it disqualify RMSEA as a criterion to evaluate the model fit, or is it just the explanation why it is zero?
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2answers
176 views
Can structural equation models be used to derive clinical formulae?
Structural equation models (sem) are used to model latent variables. Renal function is a latent variable measured by serum creatinine levels (with measurement errors) expressed by many different ...
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580 views
Introduction to structural equation modeling
I am asked by colleagues some help in this subject, that I don’t really know. They made hypotheses on the role of some latent variables in one study, and a referee asked them to formalize this in SEM. ...
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2answers
284 views
Whether to leave the data unaltered in the face of outliers and non-normality when performing structural equation modelling?
I recently received this email from a graduate student, and I get similar questions often enough, that I thought I'd post it here:
I'm using factor analysis, multiple regression, and SEM and ...
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87 views
Factoring two matrices into shared and unique variance
I have two square symmetric matrices, A and B, each of which contains the pairwise cosine distances between two different sets of vectors. The sets of vectors are different for A and B, but they are ...
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101 views
Do path coefficients (beta) for the same condition across model comparisons have to be equal in structural equation modeling?
This is a long-winded question but I'll try to paint the picture. I'm using structural equation modeling using Amos software to study relationships between brain and behaviour. I have three condition ...
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2answers
655 views
Where can I find information about using SPSS for EFA and CFA? Is PCA (two samples) and reliability sufficient for scale development?
Context:
I am in the process of developing a scale for my thesis. My advisor has guided me to using SPSS PCA to complete my analyses. Initially we reduced my scale to 3 factors (her insistence), ...
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1answer
192 views
What does it mean when you get strange model fit statistics in AMOS?
I am testing the fit of my mediation model in AMOS, and the model fit statistics are very strange. For example, the CFI is .000 and the RMSEA is way too big (14.774). It seems as though there has been ...
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100 views
How to save individual residuals from an observed endogenous variable in a structural equation model?
I am estimating a structural equation model in which two latent variables (with 4 indicators each) and the interaction between the two latent variables predict a single observed variable. I would like ...
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1answer
132 views
-1 df for a saturated model with ML estimator?
I estimate a saturated / just-identified model (specifically: an APIM model, actor-partner-interdepence model) with the R package lavaan.
This model is saturated ...
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1answer
774 views
How to interpret coefficients produced by the sem function in R?
I have performed the path analysis using the sem function in R. The model which I fitted consists of both direct and indirect paths. I have some trouble in ...
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1answer
86 views
When analyzing dyadic data, can unpaired cases be used in any part of the analysis?
I am currently in the process of analyzing a data set comprised of manager-subordinate dyads. Data were collected cross-sectionally and the data set contains some of the same variables collected from ...
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2answers
263 views
WLS estimator and bootstrapping in sem package
Is there a way to run the sem function (R sem package) by using WLS method?
Furthermore I have a very small data set (20 observations), can I overcome this problem ...
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2answers
1k views
Multiple imputation on single subscale item or subscale scores?
Recently I am conducting a research on the relationship between motivation/attitude variables (Gardner's model) and English language proficiency in the Philippines. I encountered a problem: missing ...
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1answer
212 views
Whether to use structural equation modelling to analyse observational studies in psychology
I've noticed this issue coming up a lot in statistical consulting settings and i was keen to get your thoughts.
Context
I often speak to research students that have conducted a study approximately ...
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3answers
2k views
R package for multilevel structural equation modeling?
I want to test a multi-stage path model (e.g., A predicts B, B predicts C, C predicts D) where all of my variables are individual observations nested within groups. So far I've been doing this through ...
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298 views
Structural equation modeling for experimental design data
I'm wondering if this is possible to fit structural equation model for experimental design data.
Problem
Suppose a researcher observed four responses $Y_1$, $Y_2$, $Y_3$, and $Y_4$ along with three ...
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2answers
584 views
Complications of having a very small sample in a structural equation model
I am running a structural equation model (SEM) in Amos 18. I was looking for 100 participants for my experiment (used loosely), which was deemed to be probably not enough to conduct successful SEM. ...
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1answer
337 views
Bootstrapped parameter and fit estimates with non-normality for structural equation models
Context:
Within the context of structural equation modelling, I have non-normality according to the Mardia test but univariate indices of skewness and kurtosis are less than 2.0.
Questions:
Should ...
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1answer
115 views
Testing significance of factors and covariates along with modeling causality among responses
I'm wondering how to test the significance of factor(s) and/or covariate(s) along with modeling the causal relationship among responses.
Let me explain this with a concrete example.
Example:
Suppose ...
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2answers
363 views
What to do following poor fit statistics for a confirmatory factor analysis?
Context
I have got some problems with my doctoral dissertation. My thesis is Investigating Secondary Primary School Teachers' Organizational citizenship behaviours through their perceptions about ...
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8answers
1k views
How do you draw structural equation/MPLUS models?
I am looking for a software tool (preferably open source) to draw structural equation/mixture models efficiently and prettily.
After looking into xfig and graphviz I now stick to the general vector ...
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623 views
What graphical techniques are used in Structural Equation Modeling?
I'm curious if there are graphical techniques particular, or more applicable, to structural equation modeling. I guess this could fall into categories for exploratory tools for covariance analysis or ...
