These models represent a mix of path analysis and confirmatory factor analysis.  These models have two parts: a measurement model and a structural model.  In essence, the measurement model is first estimated and the correlations or covariance matrix between constructs or factors then serves as input to estimate the structural coefficients between constructs or latent variables.  In actuality, both models are simultaneously estimated by a structural equation modeling program such as AMOS, LISREL, or EQS.

Measurement Model

• definition
• the mapping of measures onto theoretical constructs
• constituent parts
• loadings of the measures on the theoretical constructs
• error variances
• error covariances (correlated errors)
• test of specification error:
• Estimate a structural model that is justidentified or estimate a confirmatory factor analysis model; causation between the latent variables) before the structural model is interpreted, it must first be established that the measurement model fits.

• definition
• the causal and correlational links between theoretical variables
• constituent parts
• paths
• variances of the exogenous variables
• covariances between exogenous variables
• variances of the disturbances of endogenous variables
• covariances between disturbances
• covariances between disturbances and exogenous variables (usually set to zero)
• test of  specification error
• compare the specified structural model to a model in which the structural model is justidentified

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