Using Ant Colony Optimization for Sensitivity Analysis in Structural Equation Modeling

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Walter L. Leite ◽  
Zuchao Shen ◽  
Katerina Marcoulides ◽  
Charles L. Fisk ◽  
Jeffrey Harring
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity Analysis ◽  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Ant Colony Optimization ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Ant Colony ◽  
Equation Modeling

Ant Colony Optimization and Local Weighted Structural Equation Modeling. A Tutorial on Novel Item and Person Sampling Procedures for Personality Research

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 400-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Olaru ◽  
Ulrich Schroeders ◽  
Johanna Hartung ◽  
Oliver Wilhelm
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Ant Colony Optimization ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Personality Development ◽  
Measurement Model ◽  
Ant Colony ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Moderator Variable ◽  
Measurement Models ◽  
Sampling Procedures

Measurement in personality development faces many psychometric problems. First, theory–based measurement models do not fit the empirical data in terms of traditional confirmatory factor analysis. Second, measurement invariance across age, which is necessary for a meaningful interpretation of age–associated personality differences, is rarely accomplished. Finally, continuous moderator variables, such as age, are often artificially categorized. This categorization leads to bias when interpreting differences in personality across age. In this tutorial, we introduce methods to remedy these problems. We illustrate how Ant Colony Optimization can be used to sample indicators that meet prespecified demands such as model fit. Further, we use Local Structural Equation Modeling to resample and weight subjects to study differences in the measurement model across age as a continuous moderator variable. We also provide a detailed illustration for both tools with the Neuroticism scale of the openly available International Personality Item Pool – NEO inventory using data from the UK sample ( N = 15 827). Combined, both tools can remedy persistent problems in research on personality and its development. In addition to a step–by–step illustration, we provide commented syntax for both tools. © 2019 European Association of Personality Psychology

scholarly journals Prior sensitivity analysis in default Bayesian structural equation modeling

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara van Erp ◽  
Joris Mulder ◽  
Daniel L. Oberski
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity Analysis ◽  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Empirical Bayes ◽  
Mean Squared Error ◽  
Small Samples ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Ml Estimation ◽  
Bayesian Structural Equation Modeling

Bayesian structural equation modeling (BSEM) has recently gained popularity because it enables researchers to fit complex models while solving some of the issues often encountered in classical maximum likelihood (ML) estimation, such as nonconvergence and inadmissible solutions. An important component of any Bayesian analysis is the prior distribution of the unknown model parameters. Often, researchers rely on default priors, which are constructed in an automatic fashion without requiring substantive prior information. However, the prior can have a serious influence on the estimation of the model parameters, which affects the mean squared error (MSE), bias, coverage rates, and quantiles of the estimates.In this paper, we investigate the performance of three different default priors: noninformative improper priors, vague proper priors, and empirical Bayes priors, with the latter being novel in the BSEM literature. Based on a simulation study, we find that these three default BSEM methods may perform very differently, especially with small samples. A careful prior sensitivity analysis is therefore needed when performing a default BSEM analysis. For this purpose, we provide a practical step-by-step guide for practitioners to conducting a prior sensitivity analysis in default BSEM. Our recommendations are illustrated using a well-known case study from the structural equation modeling literature and all code for conducting the prior sensitivity analysis is made available in the online supplemental material.

Testing the Assumption of Uncorrelated Errors for Short Scales by Means of Structural Equation Modeling

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 201-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
André Beauducel ◽  
Anja Leue
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Negative Correlation ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Error Score ◽  
Classical Test Theory ◽  
Test Theory ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Eysenck Personality Questionnaire ◽  
Personality Questionnaire ◽  
True Score

It is shown that a minimal assumption should be added to the assumptions of Classical Test Theory (CTT) in order to have positive inter-item correlations, which are regarded as a basis for the aggregation of items. Moreover, it is shown that the assumption of zero correlations between the error score estimates is substantially violated in the population of individuals when the number of items is small. Instead, a negative correlation between error score estimates occurs. The reason for the negative correlation is that the error score estimates for different items of a scale are based on insufficient true score estimates when the number of items is small. A test of the assumption of uncorrelated error score estimates by means of structural equation modeling (SEM) is proposed that takes this effect into account. The SEM-based procedure is demonstrated by means of empirical examples based on the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised.

The Measurement Invariance of the Short Dark Triad

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 207-218
Author(s):  
Mihaela Grigoraș ◽  
Andreea Butucescu ◽  
Amalia Miulescu ◽  
Cristian Opariuc-Dan ◽  
Dragoș Iliescu
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Item Response ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Dark Triad ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Scale Level ◽  
High Stake ◽  
Differential Functioning ◽  
Item Functioning

Abstract. Given the fact that most of the dark personality measures are developed based on data collected in low-stake settings, the present study addresses the appropriateness of their use in high-stake contexts. Specifically, we examined item- and scale-level differential functioning of the Short Dark Triad (SD3; Paulhus & Jones, 2011 ) measure across testing contexts. The Short Dark Triad was administered to applicant ( N = 457) and non-applicant ( N = 592) samples. Item- and scale-level invariances were tested using an Item Response Theory (IRT)-based approach and a Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach, respectively. Results show that more than half of the SD3 items were flagged for Differential Item Functioning (DIF), and Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM) results supported configural, but not metric invariance. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.

Childhood Intelligence Predicts Adult Trait Openness

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Furnham ◽  
Helen Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Social Background ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Direct Effects ◽  
Data Set ◽  
National Child Development Study ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Uk

Abstract. This study used a longitudinal data set of 5,672 adults followed for 50 years to determine the factors that influence adult trait Openness-to-Experience. In a large, nationally representative sample in the UK (the National Child Development Study), data were collected at birth, in childhood (age 11), adolescence (age 16), and adulthood (ages 33, 42, and 50) to examine the effects of family social background, childhood intelligence, school motivation during adolescence, education, and occupation on the personality trait Openness assessed at age 50 years. Structural equation modeling showed that parental social status, childhood intelligence, school motivation, education, and occupation all had modest, but direct, effects on trait Openness, among which childhood intelligence was the strongest predictor. Gender was not significantly associated with trait Openness. Limitations and implications of the study are discussed.

Celebrity Worship Among University Students in Malaysia

2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 334-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viren Swami ◽  
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic ◽  
Khairul Mastor ◽  
Fatin Hazwani Siran ◽  
Mohammad Mohsein Mohammad Said ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Attitude Scale ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The West ◽  
Factor Solution ◽  
Movie Stars ◽  
Three Factor

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.

Further Insights Into the German Version of the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA)

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 317-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorota Reis
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Interoceptive Awareness ◽  
Multidimensional Assessment ◽  
New Instrument ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Complex Models ◽  
Approximate Zero ◽  
Bayesian Structural Equation Modeling

Abstract. Interoception is defined as an iterative process that refers to receiving, accessing, appraising, and responding to body sensations. Recently, following an extensive process of development, Mehling and colleagues (2012) proposed a new instrument, the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA), which captures these different aspects of interoception with eight subscales. The aim of this study was to reexamine the dimensionality of the MAIA by applying maximum likelihood confirmatory factor analysis (ML-CFA), exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), and Bayesian structural equation modeling (BSEM). ML-CFA, ESEM, and BSEM were examined in a sample of 320 German adults. ML-CFA showed a poor fit to the data. ESEM yielded a better fit and contained numerous significant cross-loadings, of which one was substantial (≥ .30). The BSEM model with approximate zero informative priors yielded an excellent fit and confirmed the substantial cross-loading found in ESEM. The study demonstrates that ESEM and BSEM are flexible techniques that can be used to improve our understanding of multidimensional constructs. In addition, BSEM can be seen as less exploratory than ESEM and it might also be used to overcome potential limitations of ESEM with regard to more complex models relative to the sample size.

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