Considers models incorporating principal components from the perspectives of structural-equation modeling. These models include the following: (1) the principal-component analysis of patterned matrices; (2) multiple analysis of variance based on principal components; and (3) multigroup principal-components analysis. Discusses fitting these models…

Presents an approach (designed for beginners) to using PROC CALIS, a Statistical Analysis System (SAS) procedure, to perform path analyses using observed variables. The approach begins with the development of a figure to illustrate the researcher's theoretical model, and then converts the figure into a PROC CALIS program. (SLD)

The Rasch item fit approach for detecting multidimensionality in response data is compared with principal component analysis without rotation using simulated data. Results indicate that both approaches work in a variety of multidimensional data structures, but the Rasch item fit is better under some circumstances, as discussed. (SLD)

Results of a study with 640 Spanish high school students suggest the existence of a global self-esteem factor underlying responses to Rosenberg's (M. Rosenberg, 1965) Self-Esteem Scale, although the inclusion of method effects is needed to achieve a good model fit. Method effects are associated with item wording. (SLD)

Investigated the factorial invariance of scores from a seventh grade state reading assessment across general education students and selected groups of students with disabilities. Assessed the fit of a two-factor model and five levels of constraint. Results generally support the score comparability of the reading assessment, but more research is…