Factor Score Path Analysis An Alternative for SEM?

2017
Theoretical researchers consider Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to be the preferred method to study the relationships among latent variables. However, SEM has the disadvantage of requiring a large sample size, especially if the model is complex. Furthermore, since SEM estimates all parameters simultaneously, one misspecification in the model may influence the whole model. For these reasons, applied researchers often use a two-step Factor Score Regression (FSR) approach. In the first step, factor scores are calculated for the latent variables, which are used to perform a linear regression in the second step. However, this method results in incorrect regression coefficients. Croon (2002) developed a method that corrects for this bias. We combine this method of Croon (2002) with path analysis, resulting in Factor Score Path Analysis. This method results in correct path coefficients and has some advantages over SEM: it requires smaller sample sizes, can handle more complex models and the method is less sensitive to misspecifications, because of its stepwise nature. In conclusion, this method can be a suitable alternative for SEM, when one is dealing with a complex model and small sample sizes.
METHODOLOGY-EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF RESEARCH METHODS FOR THE BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
页码:31-38|卷号:13
ISSN:1614-1881
来源机构
Ghent University
收录类型
SSCI
发表日期
2017
学科领域
循证社会科学-方法
国家
比利时
语种
英语
DOI
10.1027/1614-2241/a000130
其他关键词
MENTAL FACTORS; REGRESSION
EISSN
1614-2241
被引频次(WOS)
55
被引更新日期
2022-01
关键词
factor score regression factor score path analysis sample size misspecifications