Presents a necessary and sufficient condition for the equivalence of structural-equation models that is applicable to models with parameter restrictions and models that may or may not fulfill assumptions of the rules. Illustrates the application of the approach for studying model equivalence. (SLD)

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)

Ant colony optimization is a recently proposed heuristic procedure inspired by the behavior of real ants. This article applies the procedure to model specification searches in structural equation modeling and reports the results. The results demonstrate the capabilities of ant colony optimization algorithms for conducting automated searches.

Within the latent growth curve model, time-invariant covariates are generally modeled on the subject level, thereby estimating the effect of the covariate on the latent growth parameters. Incorporating the time-invariant covariate in this manner may have some advantages regarding the interpretation of the effect but may also be incorrect in…

Data from the Early Head Start Research and Evaluation study were used to examine the extent to which several factors mediate between- and within-ethnic-group differences in parenting beliefs and behaviors, and children's early cognitive development (analysis sample of 1198 families). The findings indicate that Hispanic-, European-, and…

Hong Kong is seeking to increase the use of "assessment for learning" rather than rely on "assessment of learning" through summative examinations. Nearly 300 teachers from 14 primary and secondary schools answered a Chinese translation of the Teachers' Conceptions of Assessment inventory and a new Practices of Assessment…

Past research has documented a link between negative problem orientation (NPO) and poor emotional well-being, but little of this research has focused on adolescence or has collected multiple waves of data. The authors conducted a 3-wave longitudinal survey of 841 adolescents in Grades 8, 9, and 10 (428 boys, 411 girls, 2 unidentified). The survey…

Mathematical learning disabilities (MLDs) are often associated with math anxiety, yet until now, very little is known about the causal relations between calculation ability and math anxiety during early primary school years. The main aim of this study was to longitudinally investigate the relationship between calculation ability, self-reported…

This is the final report of the National Evaluation of Student Support Services (SSS). SSS is one of eight federally funded grant programs that are administered as part of the Federal TRIO Programs within the U.S. Department of Education (ED). The SSS program, in particular, focuses on students while they are enrolled in college. In general, SSS…

The present study includes externalizing problems, internalizing problems, mother-adolescent relationship quality, and father-adolescent relationship quality in the same structural equation model and tests the longitudinal reciprocal association among all four variables over a 1-year period. A transactional model in which adolescents'…

The current research represents an initial step into the analysis of the effect of self-esteem, others' (peers and teachers) expectations and family support on academic achievement through learning approaches (deep processing, surface processing and effort). Data were gathered from 553 university students from different faculties of a Spanish…

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to model the relationship between student performance, student attitudes, and computer laboratory environments. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected from 234 college students enrolled in courses that involved the use of a computer to solve problems and provided the laboratory experience by means of…