Chi-square tests based on maximum likelihood (ML) estimation of covariance structures often incorrectly over-reject the null hypothesis: [sigma] = [sigma(theta)] when the sample size is small. Reweighted least squares (RLS) avoids this problem. In some models, the vector of parameter must contain means, variances, and covariances, yet whether RLS…

Factor score regression (FSR) is widely used as a convenient alternative to traditional structural equation modeling (SEM) for assessing structural relations between latent variables. But when latent variables are simply replaced by factor scores, biases in the structural parameter estimates often have to be corrected, due to the measurement error…

Prior studies investigating the effects of non-normality in structural equation modeling typically induced non-normality in the indicator variables. This procedure neglects the factor analytic structure of the data, which is defined as the sum of latent variables and errors, so it is unclear whether previous results hold if the source of…

We examined the effect of estimation methods, maximum likelihood (ML), unweighted least squares (ULS), and diagonally weighted least squares (DWLS), on three population SEM (structural equation modeling) fit indices: the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), the comparative fit index (CFI), and the standardized root mean square residual…

In the current study, the appropriateness of the Mathematics Attitude Questionnaire administered to middle school 8th grade students in the TIMSS 2015 application to the exploratory structural equation and confirmatory factor analysis models was examined. The study was conducted on 6079 students making up the sample of Turkey. In the TIMSS 2015…

When using educational/psychological instruments, psychometric investigations should be conducted before adopting to new environments to ensure that an instrument measures the same constructs. Exploratory structural equation modeling and confirmatory factor analysis methods were used to examine the utility of the short form of the Pediatric…

The aim of the present study was to examine the interplay between test anxiety (i.e. worry and emotionality) and learned helplessness in a sample of adolescents (N = 845, aged 13-17 years) in secondary schools in Germany. In accordance with the buffering hypothesis, it was hypothesised that the detrimental association between both components of…

Ageism is recognized as a significant obstacle to older people's well-being, but age discrimination against younger people has attracted less attention. We investigate levels of perceived age discrimination across early to late adulthood, using data from the European Social Survey (ESS), collected in 29 countries (N = 56,272). We test for…

Objective: To examine the psychometric properties of a measure of cannabis-specific Protective Behavioral Strategies (PBS), which assesses ways in which students may reduce cannabis-related risk. Participants: Respondents to the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment II (N = 580) during Spring 2015. Methods:…

Position effects may occur in both paper--pencil tests and computerized assessments when examinees respond to the same test items located in different positions on the test. To examine position effects in large-scale assessments, previous studies often used multilevel item response models within the generalized linear mixed modeling framework.…

Prior studies have demonstrated inconsistent findings with regard to the relationship between need for cognition and creativity. In our study, measurement issues were explored as a potential source of these inconsistencies. Structural equation modeling techniques were used to examine the factor structure underlying the 18-item need for cognition…

The main aim of this study is to examine the effect of principals' transformational leadership on teachers' self-efficacy across 77 different Greek elementary and secondary schools based on a centralized education system. For the investigation of the above effect multilevel Structural Equation Modelling analysis was conducted, recognizing the…

Using Monte Carlo simulations, this research examined the performance of four missing data methods in SEM under different multivariate distributional conditions. The effects of four independent variables (sample size, missing proportion, distribution shape, and factor loading magnitude) were investigated on six outcome variables: convergence rate,…

Students' personal predictors of academic success are particularly relevant for first-year college students, given the specific challenges that these students face when entering higher education (HE). Academic success in HE has been related to multiple factors, including the students' approaches to learning (SAL), satisfaction (linked to…

One out of every three students who begin an academic school year does not return for a second year, which has remained unchanged for the past 50 years. The Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education could improve the classroom learning environment, which could lead to increased student satisfaction and retention. More empirical…