Statistical methods related to Rasch modeling, social network analysis, and latent variable structural equation modeling for experimental designs are critiqued with regard to three important issues: (1) measuring constructs; (2) modeling processes of change; (3) operationalizing social relations. An argument is made for adequate conceptualization…

Three proposed models were tested to explore the inter-relationships affecting student academic performance and nonacademic factors using structural equation modeling. Results with 147 undergraduates suggest that a Bio-Model and a Family Mediated Model serve to predict academic performance moderately well. (SLD)

An alternative two-stage least squares (2SLS) estimator of the parameters in LISREL type models is proposed and contrasted with existing estimators. The new 2SLS estimator allows observed and latent variables to originate from nonnormal distributions, is consistent, has a known asymptotic covariance matrix, and can be estimated with standard…

Provides an introduction to structural equation modelling (SEM) for language research, including: general objectives of SEM applications relevant to language assessment; methodology and statistical assumptions about data that must be met; commonly-used SEM steps and concepts; application matters, with sample models; and recent critical discussions…

Examined relations between mothers' expressed positive and negative emotion and 55- to 79-month-olds' regulation, social competence, and adjustment. Structural equation modeling revealed unique effects of positive and negative maternal expressed emotion on children's regulation, and the relations of maternal expressed emotion to children's…

This study compared the strength of competing causal models in explaining the relationship between perceived support, enacted support, and social anxiety in adolescents. The social causation hypothesis postulates that social support causes social anxiety, whereas the social selection hypothesis postulates that social anxiety causes social support.…

Secure parental attachment and healthy levels of separation-individuation have been consistently linked to greater college student adjustment. The present study proposes that the relation between parental attachment and college adjustment is mediated by healthy separation-individuation. The authors gathered data on maternal and paternal…

Background: Contemporary models of working memory suggest that target paradigm (TP) and target density (TD) should interact as influences on error rates derived from continuous performance tests (CPTs). The present study evaluated this hypothesis empirically in a typically developing, ethnically diverse sample of children. The extent to which…

According to the domain-specific, multilevel homework model proposed in the present study, students' homework effort is influenced by expectancy and value beliefs, homework characteristics, parental homework behavior, and conscientiousness. The authors used structural equation modeling and hierarchical linear modeling analyses to test the model in…

A rule is presented to identify the model in structural equation modeling. This rule includes the null B and recursive rules as extreme cases. Proof is given for the theorem. (SLD)

Studied the evidence for the practice of using parcels of item as manifest variables in structural equation modeling procedures. Findings suggest that the unconsidered use of parcels is never warranted, but the considered use of parcels cannot be dismissed out of hand. Describes a number of parceling techniques and their strengths and weaknesses.…

The usefulness of structural equation modeling methodology for studying change is explored, considering individual and group change model classes. The relationship between the constant rate of change and simplex models as representatives of either class is examined, and both models are shown to be special cases of comprehensive latent curve…

The determinacy of variables in a structural equation model is considered, and it is shown that when the variables in the structural model are all manifest, the error-terms (disturbances) are uniquely determined given the parameters of the data. When the variables are all latent, the error-terms have indeterminate components. (SLD)

Presents a didactic collection of covariance and mean structure hypotheses that can be tested using a widely applicable and easy to use structural equation modeling approach. The method is useful when the goal is to examine the observed multivariable structure or test hypotheses regarding interrelationships in measures and when large samples are…

Studied the population discrepancy of coefficient alpha from the composite reliability coefficient for fixed congeneric measures with correlated errors and expressed it in terms of parameters of the measures. Recommends structural equation modeling for identifying cases in which the discrepancy can be large. (SLD)