Compared to traditional confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) has been shown to result in less structural parameter bias when cross-loadings (CLs) are present. However, when model fit is reasonable for CFA (over ESEM), CFA should be preferred on the basis of parsimony. Using simulations, the current…

Exploratory structural equation (ESEM) has received increased attention in the methodological literature as a promising tool for evaluating latent variable measurement models. It overcomes many of the limitations attached to exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), while capitalizing on the benefits of each. Given…

Precisely estimating factor scores is challenging, especially when models are mis-specified. Stemming from network analysis, centrality measures offer an alternative approach to estimating the scores. Using a two-fold simulation design with varying availability of a priori theoretical knowledge, this study implemented hybrid centrality to estimate…

There is increasing interest in using factor scores in structural equation models and there have been numerous methodological papers on the topic. Nevertheless, sum scores, which are computed from adding up item responses, continue to be ubiquitous in practice. It is therefore important to compare simulation results involving factor scores to…

Matrix decomposition structural equation modeling (MDSEM) is introduced as a novel approach in structural equation modeling, contrasting with traditional structural equation modeling (SEM). MDSEM approximates the data matrix using a model generated by the hypothetical model and addresses limitations faced by conventional SEM procedures by…

We propose new ways of robustifying goodness-of-fit tests for structural equation modeling under non-normality. These test statistics have limit distributions characterized by eigenvalues whose estimates are highly unstable and biased in known directions. To take this into account, we design model-based trend predictions to approximate the…

Academic engagement plays a crucial role in students' learning and performance. One of the most popular measures for assessing this construct is the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale for Students (UWES-S), which is based on a tridimensional conceptualization consisting of dedication, vigor, and absorption. However, prior research on its factor…

Cross-loadings are common in multiple-factor confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) but often ignored in measurement invariance testing. This study examined the impact of ignoring cross-loadings on the sensitivity of fit measures (CFI, RMSEA, SRMR, SRMRu, AIC, BIC, SaBIC, LRT) to measurement noninvariance. The manipulated design factors included the…

This note demonstrates that measurement invariance does not guarantee meaningful and valid group comparisons in multiple-population settings. The article follows on a recent critical discussion by Robitzsch and Lüdtke, who argued that measurement invariance was not a pre-requisite for such comparisons. Within the framework of common factor…

In factorial survey designs, respondents evaluate multiple short descriptions of social objects (vignettes) that experimentally vary different levels of attributes of interest. Analytical methods (including individual-level regression analysis and multilevel models) estimate the weights (or utilities) assigned to the levels of the different…

Transfer beliefs are understudied in the training transfer field, whereas structural equation modelling (SEM) has been a widely used technique to study transfer models. New methodologies are needed to study training transfer and network analysis (NA) has emerged as a new approach that provides a visual representation of a given network. We…

A two-level data set can be structured in either long format (LF) or wide format (WF), and both have corresponding SEM approaches for estimating multilevel models. Intuitively, one might expect these approaches to perform similarly. However, the two data formats yield data matrices with different numbers of columns and rows, and their "cols :…

Background: Poor sleep is commonplace among traditional entry university students. Lifestyle modifications, such as time management behaviors, may improve sleep quality by allocating sufficient time for sleep and mitigating stress-associated sleep latency inefficiencies. Purpose: The purpose of our study was to evaluate time management behaviors…

To evaluate multidimensional factor structure, a popular method that combines features of confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis is Bayesian structural equation modeling with small-variance normal priors (BSEM-N). This simulation study evaluated BSEM-N as a variable selection and parameter estimation tool in factor analysis with sparse…

The Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ) measures a wide range of personality traits associated with affect and temperament. However, the lengthy administration time may have hindered its widespread use in personality research. The National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS) has adapted a short version of the…