Can I Use a Correlation Matrix as My Data Input?

Yes, AMOS allows you to use a correlation matrix as data input, but you need to include the standard deviation, mean, and sample size for each construct. Typically, you will see path models used when the data input is a correlation matrix instead of the raw data. For many correlation analyses, the researcher is

Full Structural Model Analysis

A full structural model assesses the relationships between constructs but also includes the measurement indicators for each variable. A full structural model will allow you to account for the measurement error in a construct’s indicators while also assessing the relationships between constructs.You will initially draw all the constructs and indicators like you did in

How Do I Report My Full Structural Model Results?

With the structural model, it is a good idea to present standardized regression weights, t-values, model fit statistics, and R2 values. I like to present R2 values of the dependent con- structs so the reader can see how much of the variance is being explained with my independ- ent variables. I also like to

Using Specification Search to Aid in Model Trimming and Fit in Full Structural Models

After you have conceptualized your model, you can use the specification search function to aid in trimming/fitting of your model.Trimming a model means removing some paths that might not be contributing much to the overall model.The specification search function will propose numerous different proposed models to see which one has the best model fit.This

What Are Alternative Models of Full Structural Models, and Why Should I Be Concerned With Them?

In the past, a heavy emphasis was placed on the idea of alternative models, or the abil- ity to show the superiority of your research model compared to other potential rival models. While still a valid procedure, the popularity of requiring alternative models in research has waned. The main reason is that researchers would

How Do I Add a Control Variable to My Structural Model?

At times, you might want to control for other potential influences in your model. Common control variables are demographics of a sample (gender, age, income) but can also be attitudinal or psychographic measures.With a control variable, you are accounting for the potential influ- ence of these variables in order to get unbiased estimates.To put

Two Group Analysis in Full Structural Models

A two group analysis can see if differences exist in the relationships proposed in a model across groups. Performing a two group analysis is very similar to the discussion about measurement invariance in Chapter 4. Let’s continue with the example used in the full structural analysis of Adaptive Behavior and Servicescape leading to Customer

What if I Have More Than Two Groups in My Full Structural Model Analysis?

Let’s say you have three groups in your analysis and want to see if the groups are significantly different from one another. AMOS will let you set up a third group in the models window and will run the analysis across all three groups. The problem is that AMOS examines these potential differences as

When I Try to Run My Structural Analysis, I Get an Error Message About My Matrix Not Being Positive Definite

You will get this message when you have a negative eigenvalue in your matrix. A non-positive matrix is often the result of multicollinearity. For instance, let’s say you are examining the eating habits of children and you have two variables of “child height” and “child weight”. The linear correlation between these two constructs might

Can I Correlate the Error Terms of Two Unobservable Constructs in a Full Structural Model?

The majority of the time, correlating error terms of unobservable constructs is not permis- sible, but there are some exceptions. If two constructs are systematically correlated with one another but not causally correlated, then you can correlate the error terms. This would be where two constructs are highly correlated with one another but not

How Do I Present the Results of My Two Group Analysis in Full Structural Models?

Here is a way you can present your results in a table format that will be easy for the reader to understand. In a two group analysis, you need to present the relationship strength (standard- ized coefficient) and t-values for each relationship.You also need to show the significance of the comparison across groups.This can

How Do I Search for Multivariate Outliers in Full Structural Models?

If your model fit is poor and the modification indices are providing no help, you might want to examine the multivariate outliers in your data set. A multivariate outlier is a collection of unusual or “out-of-the-norm” scores across multiple variables. Let’s go back to the full structural model example. If you go into the

How Do I Determine if My Data Is Not Normally Distributed (Non-Normal)?

In the Analysis Properties function , the output tab has a function called “Test for nor- mality and outliers”. After selecting this function, run the analysis. In the output, there is a link called “Assessment of normality”.This output will give the minimum and maximum values for each variable along with the skewness and kurtosis

What if I Get an Error Message in the Analysis That Says “Iteration Limit Reached”?

The default iteration limit in the analysis function of AMOS is 50. If you get an error message that says the iteration limit has been reached and the analysis did not run to completion, it usually means that you are having an issue with the error term of an indicator or construct.You can increase

Introduction to Mediation with SEM Model

Up to this point, we have focused on how one construct can directly influence another con- struct in a SEM model. Let’s now examine how the influence between two constructs may take an indirect path through a third variable called a mediator. In these situations, the third variable will intervene on the influence of

How to Test for Mediation with SEM Model

The research by Baron and Kenny (1986) was one of the fundamental frameworks for how to test mediation. Over the years, research has refined their initial work on testing media- tion. I think it is a worthy pursuit to discuss where mediation testing started and where it has progressed today. Baron and Kenny (1986)

How Do I Report the Results of My Mediation Test with SEM Model?

Your mediation test should always compliment the findings from the structural analysis. The structural results will let the reader know the specifics of the A path and B path. When pre- senting the mediation part of the analysis, it is a good idea to present the indirect effect, the lower and upper bound confidence

Can I Use a Correlation Matrix or Summary Data to Test Mediation in AMOS?

Up to this point, we have tested mediation using the raw data. AMOS will allow you to test mediation with a correlation/covariance matrix as your input, but it will require some addi- tional steps. For simplicity, let’s use our existing example, except we are going to test for mediation with a path model that

What if I Have Multiple Mediators in My SEM Model?

As stated earlier, when you request indirect effects in AMOS, this will give you all the pos- sible indirect effects in your model. If you have a single mediator, this function is quite handy, but if you have multiple possible mediators in a model, this function can be problematic. The reason for this problem

How Do I Test Serial Mediation in SEM?

Serial mediation, also called chain mediation, is where the influence of the independent vari- able flows through multiple mediators before impacting the dependent variable. Serial media- tion often takes place where the first mediator will have a direct relationship with a second mediator before ultimately having a relationship to the final dependent variable.With this