Conceptualizing Correlated Residuals as Item-Level Method Effects in Confirmatory Factor Analysis
Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: Conceptualizing two-variable disturbances preventing good model fit in confirmatory factor analysis as item-level method effects instead of correlated residuals avoids violating the principle that residual variation is unique for each item. The possibility of representing such a disturbance by a method factor of a bifactor measurement model was investigated with respect to model identification. It turned out that a suitable way of realizing the method factor is its integration into a fixed-links, parallel-measurement or tau-equivalent measurement submodel that is part of the bifactor model. A simulation study comparing these submodels revealed similar degrees of efficiency in controlling the influence of two-variable disturbances on model fit. Perfect correspondence characterized the fit results of the model assuming correlated residuals and the fixed-links model, and virtually also the tau-equivalent model.
Institutions: Goethe University Frankfurt, University of Bern
Language: English
Field: Decision Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,250
OpenAlex ID: W4390143579