Work

Percentage of variance accounted for in structural equation models: The rediscovery of the goodness of fit index.

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: ² in regression, the GFI should not be used to this aim but rather to quantify the model's utility. The central aim of this study is to reintroduce the GFI, introducing a novel approach to computing the GFI using mean and mean-and-variance corrected test statistics, specifically designed for nonnormal data. We use an extensive simulation study to evaluate the precision of inferences on the GFI, including point estimates and confidence intervals. The findings demonstrate that the GFI can be very accurately estimated, even with nonnormal data, and that confidence intervals exhibit reasonable accuracy across diverse conditions, including large models and nonnormal data scenarios. The article provides methods and code for estimating the GFI in any SEM, urging researchers to reconsider the reporting of the percentage of variance accounted for as an essential tool for model assessment and selection. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Source: Psychological Methods

DOI: 10.1037/met0000680

Authors: Alberto Maydeu-Olivares, Carmen Ximénez, Javier Revuelta

Institutions: University of South Carolina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

Language: English

Topic: Psychometric Methodologies and Testing

Subfield: Management Science and Operations Research

Field: Decision Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca, National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Awards: G1365748449, G26500892