What Is Structural Equation Modeling?

Structural equation modeling (SEM) is a statistical methodology that takes a confirmatory (i.e., hypothesis-testing) approach to the analysis of a structural theory bearing on some phenomenon. Typically, this theory rep­resents “causal” processes that generate observations on multiple varia­bles (Bentler, 1988). The term “structural equation modeling” conveys two important aspects of the procedure: (a) that

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Basic Concepts of Structural Equation Modeling

1. Latent versus Observed Variables In the behavioral sciences, researchers are often interested in studying theoretical constructs that cannot be observed directly. These abstract phe­nomena are termed latent variables, or factors. Examples of latent variables in psychology are self-concept and motivation; in sociology, powerless­ness and anomie; in education, verbal ability and teacher expectancy; in

The General Structural Equation Model

1. Symbol Notation Structural equation models are schematically portrayed using particular configurations of four geometric symbols—a circle (or ellipse), a square (or rectangle), a single-headed arrow, and a double-headed arrow. By conven­tion, circles (or ellipses; CD) represent unobserved latent factors, squares (or rectangles; ) represent observed variables, single-headed arrows (→) represent the impact of

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Using the Amos Program

1. Key Concepts Building SEM models using Amos Graphics Building SEM models using Amos Tables View Corollary associated with single variable estimation Concept of model (or statistical) identification Computing the number of degrees of freedom Distinctions between first- and second-order CFA models Changing Amos default color for constructed models The program name, Amos, is

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Application 1: Testing the Factorial Validity of a Theoretical Construct (First-Order CFA Model) with AMO

1. Key Concepts Hypothesized models conceptualized within a matrix format Error/uniqueness parameters Congeneric measures Working with model-refining tools in Amos Graphics Specification of data in Amos Graphics Calculation of estimates in Amos Graphics Selection of textual versus graphical output in Amos Graphics Evaluation of parameter estimates Evaluation of model as a whole model-fitting process

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Application 2: Testing the Factorial Validity of Scores from a Measurement Scale (First-Order CFA Model) with AMOS

1. Key Concepts Assumption of multivariate normality The issue of multivariate outliers The issue of multivariate kurtosis Statistical strategies in addressing nonnormality SEM robust statistics Post hoc model testing and related issues Nested models and the chi-square difference test Error covariances and related issues 2. Modeling with Amos Graphics For our second application, we

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Application 3: Testing the Factorial Validity of Scores from a Measurement Scale (Second-Order CFA Model) with AMOS

1. Key Concepts Model identification issue in higher-order models Determination of critical ratio differences Specification of equality constraints Likert scale scores analyzed as continuous versus categorical data Bayesian approach to analyses of categorical data Specification and interpretation of diagnostic plots In contrast to the two previous applications that focused on CFA first-order models, the

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Application 4: Testing the Validity of a Causal Structure with AMOS

1. Key Concepts The full structural equation model Issue of item parceling Addressing evidence of multicollinearity Parameter change statistic Issue of model parsimony and nonsignificant parameter estimates Calculation and usefulness of the squared multiple correlation In this chapter, we take our first look at a full structural equation model (SEM). The hypothesis to be

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Application 5: Testing Factorial Invariance of Scales from a Measurement Scale (First-Order CFA Model) with AMOS

1. Key Concepts Conceptual notion of factorial invariance (i.e., equivalence) Analysis of covariance (COVS) versus means and covariance (MaCs) structures Evidence of partial measurement invariance Hierarchical set of steps involved in testing factorial invariance Chi-square-difference versus CFI-difference tests Working with multiple groups in Amos Manual versus Amos-automated approach to invariance testing Up to this

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Application 6: Testing Invariance of Latent Mean Structures (First-Order CFA Model) with AMOS

1. Key Concepts Distinguishing between observed and latent means Distinguishing between covariance and mean structures The moment matrix Critically important constraints regarding model identification and factor identification Illustrated use of the automated multigroup procedure in testing invariance Link between multigroup dialog box and automated labeling of Amos graphical models In the years since the

Application 7: Testing Invariance of a Causal Structure (Full Structural Equation Model) with AMOS

1. Key Concepts Importance of cross-validation in SEM Approaches to cross-validation in SEM Testing invariance for a programmed set of measurement and struc­tural parameters based on the Amos multiple-group automated approach Interpreting statistical versus practical evidence of tests for invari­ance based on the Amos multiple-group automated approach In Chapter 4, I highlighted several problematic

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Application 8: Testing Evidence of Construct Validity with AMOS: The Multitrait-Multimethod Model

1. Key Concepts The dual focus of construct validation procedures Convergent validity, discriminant validity, and method effects Reorientation of Amos Graphics models to fit page size Comparison of the correlated traits-correlated methods (CT-CM) and correlated traits-correlated uniquenesses (CT-CU) multitrait- multimethod models Warning messages regarding inadmissible solutions and negative variances Construct validity embraces two modes

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Application 9: Testing Change Over Time with AMOS: The Latent Growth Curve Model

1. Key Concepts Measuring change over three or more time points Intraindividual versus interindividual differences in change Factor intercept and slope as growth parameters Importance of the Amos plug-in menu Incorporating a time-invariant predictor of change Use of Amos Graphics interface properties option Behavioral scientists have long been intrigued with the investigation of change.

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Application 10: Use of Bootstrapping in Addressing Nonnormal Data with AMOS

1. Key Concepts SEM assumption of multivariate normality Concept of bootstrapping Benefits, limitations, and caveats related to bootstrapping Nonparametric (simple, naive) bootstrap Sample ML estimates versus bootstrap Ml estimates Bollen-Stine bootstrap option Two critically important assumptions associated with structural equation modeling (SEM) in the analysis of covariance and mean structures are that the data

Application 11: Addressing the Issues of Missing Data with AMOS

1. Key Concepts Unstructured versus structured missing data Basic patterns of missing data Ad hoc versus theory-based strategies for dealing with missing data Amos approach to dealing with missing data Missing (i.e., incomplete) data, an almost inevitable occurrence in social science research, may be viewed either as a curse or as a gold mine

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How to Install and Activate Stata on a Windows Computer

In this post, we will show you how to install and activate Stata, that is a software allowing you to store and manage data, undertake statistical analysis on your data, and create some really nice graphs. Most of its users work in research, especially in the fields of economics, sociology, political science, biomedicine and

How to Install and Activate Stata on a Mac Computer

Step 1: Download Stata 1. Go to http://download.stata.com/download. The following login box should appear in your browser. Enter your username and password (as provided in the email from Survey Design and Analysis), as well as the other information requested, and click ‘Log in’: 2. Select the ‘Mac’ option for your operating system: 3. Then

Quick Overview of Stata User Interface

Stata’s capabilities include data management, statistical analysis, graphics, simulations, regression, and custom programming. It also has a system to disseminate user-written programs that lets it grow continuously. This article introduces the core of Stata’s interface: its main windows, its toolbar, its menus, and its dialogs. 1. The windows The five main windows are the History,

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Using the Stata Viewer

The Viewer’s purpose The Viewer is a versatile tool in Stata. It will be the first place you can turn for help within Stata, but it is far more than just a help system. You can also use the Viewer to add, delete, and manage third-party extensions to Stata that are known as community-contributed

Getting help in Stata

Stata’s help system provides a wealth of information to help you learn and use Stata. To find out which Stata command will perform the statistical or data management task you would like to do, you should generally follow these

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