scholarly journals Sample Size Requirements for Structural Equation Models

2013 ◽  
Vol 73 (6) ◽  
pp. 913-934 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika J. Wolf ◽  
Kelly M. Harrington ◽  
Shaunna L. Clark ◽  
Mark W. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Sample Size ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Equation Models

Evaluating Structural Equation Models with Unobservable Variables and Measurement Error

1981 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claes Fornell ◽  
David F. Larcker
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Error ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Explanatory Power ◽  
Measurement Model ◽  
Measurement Properties ◽  
Chi Square

The statistical tests used in the analysis of structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error are examined. A drawback of the commonly applied chi square test, in addition to the known problems related to sample size and power, is that it may indicate an increasing correspondence between the hypothesized model and the observed data as both the measurement properties and the relationship between constructs decline. Further, and contrary to common assertion, the risk of making a Type II error can be substantial even when the sample size is large. Moreover, the present testing methods are unable to assess a model's explanatory power. To overcome these problems, the authors develop and apply a testing system based on measures of shared variance within the structural model, measurement model, and overall model.

scholarly journals Power analysis for parameter estimation in structural equation modeling: A discussion and tutorial

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yilin Andre Wang ◽  
Mijke Rhemtulla
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Latent Variables ◽  
Power Analysis ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Regression Coefficient ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Shiny App ◽  
Target Effect

Despite the widespread and rising popularity of structural equation modeling (SEM) in psychology, there is still much confusion surrounding how to choose an appropriate sample size for SEM. Currently available guidance primarily consists of sample size rules of thumb that are not backed up by research, and power analyses for detecting model misfit. Missing from most current practices is power analysis to detect a target effect (e.g., a regression coefficient between latent variables). In this paper we (a) distinguish power to detect model misspecification from power to detect a target effect, (b) report the results of a simulation study on power to detect a target regression coefficient in a 3-predictor latent regression model, and (c) introduce a Shiny app, pwrSEM, for user-friendly power analysis for detecting target effects in structural equation models.

scholarly journals Dangers of the Defaults: A Tutorial on the Impact of Default Priors When Using Bayesian SEM With Small Samples

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanne C. Smid ◽  
Sonja D. Winter
Keyword(s):  
Sample Size ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Small Samples ◽  
Informative Priors ◽  
Prior Distributions ◽  
Shiny App ◽  
Technical Discussion ◽  
The Impact

When Bayesian estimation is used to analyze Structural Equation Models (SEMs), prior distributions need to be specified for all parameters in the model. Many popular software programs offer default prior distributions, which is helpful for novel users and makes Bayesian SEM accessible for a broad audience. However, when the sample size is small, those prior distributions are not always suitable and can lead to untrustworthy results. In this tutorial, we provide a non-technical discussion of the risks associated with the use of default priors in small sample contexts. We discuss how default priors can unintentionally behave as highly informative priors when samples are small. Also, we demonstrate an online educational Shiny app, in which users can explore the impact of varying prior distributions and sample sizes on model results. We discuss how the Shiny app can be used in teaching; provide a reading list with literature on how to specify suitable prior distributions; and discuss guidelines on how to recognize (mis)behaving priors. It is our hope that this tutorial helps to spread awareness of the importance of specifying suitable priors when Bayesian SEM is used with small samples.

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