An algorithm for obtaining initial values for the minimization process in covariance structure analysis is developed that is more generally applicable for computing parameters connected to latent variables than the currently existing ones. The algorithm is formulated in terms of the RAM model but can be extended. (SLD)

Used empirical example of longitudinal experimental prevention study with two groups to illustrate use of structural equation modeling, first, to systematically test measurement invariance across groups at each wave of measurement, and second, after establishing measurement invariance, to test structural invariance longitudinally. (Author/NB)

An analysis of sibling data from the National Youth Survey shows the pitfalls of ignoring issues of independence and demonstrate how conventional covariance structure software can be easily adapted to handle hierarchical models, providing a new approach that models within-level and between-level covariance matrices in familial antisocial behavior.…

Discusses two criticisms raised by L. Hayduk and D. Glaser of the most commonly used point estimate of the Root Mean Square Error (RMSEA) and points out misconceptions in their discussion. Although there are apparent flaws in their arguments, the RMSEA is open to question for several other reasons. (SLD)

Sample sizes (n=15, 25, 50, 100) were examined (1,000 times each) with replacement from each of 5 data files from teacher subject test areas to compare statistical bias and standard error. Trivial levels of equating bias were present with small samples, and substantial increases in standard errors were found as the sample size decreased. (MAK)

Critiques H. W. Marsh and K.-T. Hau's (1996) assertion that parsimony is not always desirable when assessing model-fit on a particular counterexample drawn from Marsh's previous research. This counterexample is neither general nor valid enough to support such a thesis and it signals an oversight of extant, stochastic models justifying correlated…

In response to H. W. Marsh and K.-T. Hau's (1996) article on the potential for inferential errors when parsimony is rewarded in the evaluation of overall fit of structural equation models, a design-sensitive adjustment to the standard parsimony ratio is proposed. This ratio renders a more reasonable upper bound than does the standard parsimony…

Discusses fitting multivariate normal mixture distributions to structural equation modeling. The model used is a LISREL submodel that includes confirmatory factor and structural equation models. Two approaches to maximum likelihood estimation are used. A simulation study compares confidence intervals based on the observed information and…

Studied incorporating adjusted model fit information into the root mean square error of approximation fit index (RMSEA). Monte Carlo simulation results show that incorporating robust information into the RMSEA may yield improved performance for assessing model fit under nonnormal data situations. (SLD)

Tested J. Gustafsson's second-order factor model of intelligence (1984) through structural equation modeling using the Ball Aptitude Battery (BAB). Results for 1,390 adults and high school seniors indicate that the factor structure of the BAB is consistent with Gustafsson's model. (SLD)

Studied the effects of parental involvement on students' academic growth during high school using data from the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 with latent growth curve analysis in the framework of structural equation modeling. Discusses the ways in which parental involvement was found to be multidimensional. (SLD)

Administered the Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students (ASSIST) (N. Entwhistle and P. Ramsden, 1983) to 573 undergraduates to analyze a Norwegian version of this inventory. Structural equation modeling techniques reveal the usefulness of this instrument as a research took for the assessment of approaches to learning among Norwegian…

Demonstrates the use of the well-known Bayes factor in the Bayesian literature for hypothesis testing and model comparison in general two-level structural equation models. Shows that the proposed method is flexible and can be applied to situations with a wide variety of nonnested models. (SLD)

Structural equation modeling was used to examine how maternal distress mediated the link between exposure to community violence (CV) and development of early child behavior problems. Findings indicated that direct CV-early child behavior problems path diminished when maternal distress was included in the model, after controlling for maternal SES…

Three experiments with pigeons studied the relation between time and rate measures of behavior under conditions of changing preference. Experiment 1 studied a concurrent chain schedule with random-interval initial links and fixed-interval terminal links; Experiment 2 studied a multiple chained random-interval fixed-interval schedule; and…