Structural Equation Modeling: An Alternative to Traditional Validation Techniques
Validation of the sequencing of objectives is an important step in structural design. Prior statistical techniques, such as the reproducibility coefficient, have yielded only summary information. In contrast, structural equation modeling provides both goodness-of-fit indices and effect coefficients for links or paths between time-ordered events, i.e., objectives. Discussed here is the application of structural equation modeling to a set of objectives in a senior-level cardiovascular nursing course. Consistent with the theory-based requirement of structural equation modeling, the objectives were developed using Robert Gagné's conditions of learning. Also discussed is the use of “t” values, which indicate statistical significance of the paths, for testing instructional links in the learning model.