Multilevel Factor Analysis, Structural Equation and Mixture Models

The present study examined conceptual issues surrounding celebrity worship in a Malay-speaking population. In total, 512 Malay and 269 Chinese participants from Malaysia indicated who their favorite celebrity was and completed the Celebrity Attitude Scale (CAS) as well as a range of demographic items. Results showed that the majority of Malay and Chinese participants selected pop stars and movie stars as their favourite celebrities, mirroring findings in Western settings. In addition, exploratory factor analysis revealed a three-factor solution of the CAS that was consistent with previous studies conducted in the West. Structural equation modeling further revealed that participant’s age was negatively associated with celebrity worship and that self-rated attractiveness was positively associated with celebrity worship. Overall, the present results suggest that celebrity worship in Malaysia may be driven by market and media forces, and future research may well be guided by use of the CAS.

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A Cautionary Note on Incremental Fit Indices Reported by LISREL

Methodology ◽

10.1027/1614-1881.1.2.81 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 81-85 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Stefan C. Schmukle ◽

Jochen Hardt

Keyword(s):

Factor Analysis ◽

Maximum Likelihood ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Structural Equation Models ◽

Null Model ◽

Likelihood Estimation ◽

Parameter Estimates ◽

Fit Indices ◽

Cautionary Note ◽

Confirmatory Factor

Abstract. Incremental fit indices (IFIs) are regularly used when assessing the fit of structural equation models. IFIs are based on the comparison of the fit of a target model with that of a null model. For maximum-likelihood estimation, IFIs are usually computed by using the χ2 statistics of the maximum-likelihood fitting function (ML-χ2). However, LISREL recently changed the computation of IFIs. Since version 8.52, IFIs reported by LISREL are based on the χ2 statistics of the reweighted least squares fitting function (RLS-χ2). Although both functions lead to the same maximum-likelihood parameter estimates, the two χ2 statistics reach different values. Because these differences are especially large for null models, IFIs are affected in particular. Consequently, RLS-χ2 based IFIs in combination with conventional cut-off values explored for ML-χ2 based IFIs may lead to a wrong acceptance of models. We demonstrate this point by a confirmatory factor analysis in a sample of 2449 subjects.

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Study on the influence of factors of Blended PBL teaching-learning design model on factors of learning outcomes -Focusing on secondary factor analysis model of structural equation model

Korean Association for Educational Information and Media ◽

10.15833/kafeiam.23.2.253 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 253-279

Author(s):

Kyoo-Lak Cho ◽

Sun-Yun Kim

Keyword(s):

Factor Analysis ◽

Learning Outcomes ◽

Structural Equation Model ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Equation Model ◽

Learning Design ◽

Analysis Model ◽

Factor Analysis Model ◽

Secondary Factor ◽

Teaching Learning

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Human Capital and Eco-Contractual Governance in Small Farms in Poland: Simultaneous Confirmatory Factor Analysis with Ordinal Variables

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture11010046 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 46

Author(s):

Bazyli Czyżewski ◽

Agnieszka Sapa ◽

Piotr Kułyk

Keyword(s):

Human Capital ◽

Factor Analysis ◽

Confirmatory Factor Analysis ◽

Agricultural Policy ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Equation Model ◽

Small Farms ◽

Ordinal Variables ◽

Confirmatory Factor ◽

Contractual Governance

Human capital (HC) plays an important role in modern agriculture. The difference in efficiency of assets explains only about a half of the economic performance of agricultural farms, while the other half relies on HC. Although education and training are the main components of HC, it may also be viewed from the perspective of behavioral theories that were taken under consideration in this study. The role of HC in sustainable farming has not been sufficiently explained when it comes to contractual governance (CG). In this study, the meaning of contractual governance was extended and the eco-contractual governance (ECG) concept was proposed, which stands for CG induced by agri-environmental contracts. The main objective of the article is to confirm the latent concepts of HC and ECG and to verify their correlation in view of the standards imposed by the agricultural policy. To achieve this goal, a structural equation model was developed and simultaneous confirmatory factor analysis with ordinal variables was carried out based on the sample of 674 small farms in Poland. The analysis has confirmed a relatively strong correlation between HC and ECG. It was revealed that training plays a crucial role in this relationship, while economic dependence on agricultural policy weakens the effectiveness of both HC and ECG.

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A Comparison of Reliability Estimation Based on Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Exploratory Structural Equation Models

Educational and Psychological Measurement ◽

10.1177/00131644211008953 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 001316442110089

Author(s):

Yuanshu Fu ◽

Zhonglin Wen ◽

Yang Wang

Keyword(s):

Factor Analysis ◽

Confirmatory Factor Analysis ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Reliability Estimation ◽

Model Fit ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Factor Loadings ◽

Reliability Estimates ◽

Confirmatory Factor ◽

Composite Reliability

Composite reliability, or coefficient omega, can be estimated using structural equation modeling. Composite reliability is usually estimated under the basic independent clusters model of confirmatory factor analysis (ICM-CFA). However, due to the existence of cross-loadings, the model fit of the exploratory structural equation model (ESEM) is often found to be substantially better than that of ICM-CFA. The present study first illustrated the method used to estimate composite reliability under ESEM and then compared the difference between ESEM and ICM-CFA in terms of composite reliability estimation under various indicators per factor, target factor loadings, cross-loadings, and sample sizes. The results showed no apparent difference in using ESEM or ICM-CFA for estimating composite reliability, and the rotation type did not affect the composite reliability estimates generated by ESEM. An empirical example was given as further proof of the results of the simulation studies. Based on the present study, we suggest that if the model fit of ESEM (regardless of the utilized rotation criteria) is acceptable but that of ICM-CFA is not, the composite reliability estimates based on the above two models should be similar. If the target factor loadings are relatively small, researchers should increase the number of indicators per factor or increase the sample size.

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Measuring Forgiveness: Psychometric Properties of the Heartland Forgiveness Scale in the Spanish Population

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18010045 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 45

Author(s):

Karla Gallo-Giunzioni ◽

María Prieto-Ursúa ◽

Cristina Fernández-Belinchón ◽

Octavio Luque-Reca

Keyword(s):

Factor Analysis ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Discriminant Validity ◽

Criterion Validity ◽

Validity Evidence ◽

Dispositional Forgiveness ◽

Scale Reduction ◽

Convergent And Discriminant Validity ◽

Confirmatory Factor ◽

Acceptable Internal Consistency

Given the scarcity of instruments in Spanish to measure forgiveness, two studies were conducted in this population to obtain validity evidence of the Heartland Forgiveness Scale (HFS), an instrument that measures dispositional forgiveness of self, others, and situations. In the first study, 203 students (65% women) participated. After ensuring the linguistic adequacy and clarity of the wording of the items, a lack of congruence was found between the factors obtained in the exploratory factor analysis and the original theoretical structure of the HFS. A sample of 512 participants (63.9% women) attended the second study. This study aimed to analyze the construct validity of the HFS using confirmatory factor analysis through structural equation modelling and to explore convergent, discriminant, and criterion validity. Of the different factorial configurations tested (including the original), only a scale reduction to eight items, grouped into three factors, showed an appropriate fit. The HFS eight-item version also showed acceptable internal consistency, adequate convergent and discriminant validity, and criterion validity with respect to related variables. These findings suggest that the eight-item version of the HFS may be a valid and reliable tool for assessing forgiveness for self, others, and situations in Spanish adults.

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Development and Validation of Learning Style Scale for E-Learners

SAGE Open ◽

10.1177/21582440211022324 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 215824402110223

Author(s):

Nabia Luqman Siddiquei ◽

Ruhi Khalid

Keyword(s):

Factor Analysis ◽

Learning Styles ◽

Psychometric Properties ◽

Learning Style ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Scale Scores ◽

Significant Addition ◽

Development And Validation

The present study aimed to develop an indigenous measure of learning styles for e-learners in Pakistan and to establish its psychometric properties. The objectives of the study were attained via three studies. First, the items for the development of the Learning Style Scale for e-Learners (e-LSS) were generated empirically based on a 5-point Likert-type scale. In Study I, the internal consistency and dimensionality of the measure were determined by sampling 360 e-learners aged from 20 to 40 years through a convenient sampling technique, whereas other demographic characteristics were kept in close consideration. For this purpose, exploratory factor analysis was utilized. In Study II of scale development, the factor structure that emerged in Study I was confirmed via confirmatory factor analysis using structural equation modeling. In Study III, the convergent and divergent validities of the newly constructed scale were established by correlating scores with preestablished scale scores that assess the similar construct (i.e., LSS) and with scores on the discriminant construct (i.e., Solving Problems Survey). The sample for this study consisted of 80 e-learners aged from 20 to 40 years. A total of 29 items were confirmed in the final scale with 8 distinctive factors (namely, visual, auditory, kinesthetic, global, analytical, individual, collaborative, and technological type) with sound psychometric properties. To conclude, the newly constructed scale was a significant addition to assess learning styles particularly of e-learners in the context of Pakistan.

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Linkage Between Employee Satisfaction and Employee Performance: A Case in Banking Industry

Global Business Review ◽

10.1177/0972150920970351 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 097215092097035

Author(s):

Sweta Mishra ◽

Shikta Singh ◽

Priyanka Tripathy

Keyword(s):

Factor Analysis ◽

Human Resource Development ◽

Employee Satisfaction ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Banking Sector ◽

Financial Institution ◽

Employee Performance ◽

Advanced Technology ◽

Survey Method ◽

And Performance

Banking sector is predominantly a customer-focused business that provides a gamut of financial services in aid of advanced technology, prompt communication system and conception of various banks to deal with multinational led environment. Some priority should be given to human resource development in order to emerge as strong and viable financial institution. So, the banking sector should emphasize on employees and how they can be satisfied, engaged and perform better. This study indicates to what extent employee satisfaction and employee performance are interlinked with each other. The purpose of this study is to explore the factors of employee satisfaction and employee performance and to establish a relationship between them. A survey method using a structured questionnaire was used to collect the responses of bankers in SBI, Bhubaneswar region. Having the data collected from 240 filled questionnaires, analysis was carried out using exploratory factor analysis, and to further validate this, structural equation modelling was developed. This was followed by a confirmatory factor analysis to establish the linkage between employee satisfaction and employee performance. The results indicated a significant relationship between employee satisfaction and performance. This study contributes to understanding of the various factors affecting employee satisfaction and performance, especially in the banking sector. By focusing on employee satisfaction, managers can keep the employees more focused, engaged and committed to their work and enhance overall productivity of the organization.

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E8-LWDS: Factorial Structure and Psychometric Properties of the Lebanese Waterpipe Dependence Scale-11 in 1490 Egyptian Waterpipe Tobacco Smokers—A Critical Approach

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18136741 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (13) ◽

pp. 6741

Author(s):

Aya Mostafa ◽

Nashwa Ismail

Keyword(s):

Factor Analysis ◽

Psychometric Properties ◽

Exploratory Factor Analysis ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Mean Squared Error ◽

Physical Dependence ◽

Behavioral Control ◽

Perceived Behavioral Control ◽

Factorial Structure ◽

Dependence Scale

Introduction: There is no universal scale for assessing waterpipe tobacco (WT) dependence. We examined the factorial structure and psychometric properties of the Waterpipe Dependence Scale-11 (LWDS-11) among Egyptian WT smokers. Methods: We administered the LWDS-11 during face-interview questionnaires in two cross-sectional surveys among 1490 current WT smokers recruited via purposive quota sampling. Exploratory factor analysis was performed on half of the sample. Confirmatory factor analysis of the resulting model was done using structural equation modelling on the other half. Scale reliability was examined. We assessed convergent construct validity using regression models to examine the association between the adapted dependence scale and factors conceptually expected to be associated with WT dependence. Results: Exploratory factor analysis of the scale yielded eight items (E8-LWDS) supporting a three-factor structure: physical dependence (three items); psychological dependence (three items); and psychological craving (two items). Cronbach’s α were 0.635 for the total scale and 0.823, 0.654, and 0.785 for the three subscales. E8-LWDS was confirmed to have good model fit (comparative fit index = 0.995; root mean squared error of approximation = 0.027). E8-LWDS was independently associated with daily WT smoking, rural residence, being a skilled worker, non-exclusive WTS, smoking ≥ eight WT hagars/day, and measures of perceived behavioral control (self-reported addiction to WT, perceived ability to quit, and previous quit attempts). Conclusion: E8-LWDS showed adequate psychometric properties among this sample of Egyptian current WT smokers, which makes it appropriate for use by researchers and practitioners. Adding items related to perceived behavioral control might enhance the scale robustness.

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