The Model-Size Effect on Traditional and Modified Tests of Covariance Structures
Journal
Structural Equation Modeling : A Multidisciplinary Journal
ISSN
1070-5511
ISSN-Digital
1532-8007
Type
journal article
Date Issued
2007-09-01
Author(s)
Abstract
According to Kenny and McCoach (2003), chi-square tests of structural equation models produce inflated Type I error rates when the degrees of freedom increase. So far, the amount of this bias in large models has not been quantified. In a Monte Carlo study of confirmatory factor models with a range of 48 to 960 degrees of freedom it was found that the traditional maximum likelihood ratio statistic, T ML , overestimates nominal Type I error rates up to 70% under conditions of multivariate normality. Some alternative statistics for the correction of model-size effects were also investigated: the scaled Satorra-Bentler statistic, T SC ; the adjusted Satorra-Bentler statistic, T AD (Satorra & Bentler, 1988, 1994); corresponding Bartlett corrections, T MLb , T SCb , and T ADb (Bartlett, 1950); and corresponding Swain corrections, T MLs , T SCs , and T ADs (Swain, 1975). The empirical findings indicate that the model test statistic T MLs should be applied when large structural equation models are analyzed and the observed variables have (approximately) a multivariate normal distribution.
Language
English
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Refereed
Yes
Publisher
Erlbaum
Publisher place
Mahwah, NJ
Volume
14
Number
3
Start page
361
End page
390
Pages
30
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
42334