The noncentral chi-square approximation of the distribution of the likelihood ratio (LR) test statistic is a critical part of the methodology in structural equation modeling. Recently, it was argued by some authors that in certain situations normal distributions may give a better approximation of the distribution of the LR test statistic. The main…

This article provides the theory and application of the 2-stage maximum likelihood (ML) procedure for structural equation modeling (SEM) with missing data. The validity of this procedure does not require the assumption of a normally distributed population. When the population is normally distributed and all missing data are missing at random…

Presents a validation procedure for cognitive structures that is based on structural equation modeling of cognitive subordination relationships among test items. Illustrates the method using scores of 278 ninth graders on an algebra test and shows results for the same test when the linear logistic test model is used. (SLD)