Abstract
Structural equation modeling is an important method for analyzing multivariate data in the studies of psychology, behavior, management, marketing, etc. The usual regression models are simple cases of structural equation models. Compared with regression models from the view of covariance structural analysis, structural equation models are easier to be understood why they need model-fit testing by using goodness of fit indexes. We introduce the source of fit indexes, methods of model-fit testing and criteria of fit indexes in structural equation models. Our main purpose is to reveal the essence of model-fit testing using some popular fit-indices, including NNFI (Non-normed Fit Index), CFI (Comparative Fit Index), Mc (Measure of Centrality), and RMSEA (Root Mean Square Error of Approximation).
It is shown that the criterion of an absolute fit index based on chi-square (e.g., RMSEA, Mc) is to set significance levels (might be much lower than traditional level of 0.05) for chi-square test. According to these comparable significance levels we could know which criterion is harsher to accept the theoretical model. When the degree of freedom is not larger than 32, the theoretical model will be accepted under the criteria of Mc > 0.9 if the model is accepted under the criteria of RMSEA < 0.08. When the degree of freedom is not less than 33, conversely, the theoretical model will be accepted under the criteria of RMSEA < 0.08 if the model is accepted under the criteria of Mc > 0.9. Thus RMSEA < 0.08 and Mc > 0.9 are compensatory criteria for model-fit testing in structural equation modeling.
It is also shown that the criterion of a relative fit index is to set a proportion of reduced mean square (the ratio of chi-square to its degree of freedom) from the null model to the theoretical model. The null model is the worst model-fit because all indicators in the null model are set to be uncorrelated each other. Thus, the null model has the largest chi-square and the largest degree of freedom. For any given cutoff value, if the theoretical model is accepted under the criterion of NNFI, the model will be accepted definitively under the criterion of CFI. In other words, CFI is always not less than NNFI. Therefore, the criterion of CFI is covered by the criterion of NNFI.
It is recommended that applied researchers should report and test at least one absolute fit index and one relative fit index. For absolute fit index, both Mc (cutoff value 0.9) and RMSEA Mc (cutoff value 0.08) are recommended. For relative fit index, however, only NNFI (cutoff value 0.9) is recommended. In addition, SRMR (Standardized Root Mean square Residual, cutoff value 0.08) is deserved of reference because it is only one that is not defined based on chi-square in the popular fit indexes.
Key words
structural equation model /
fit index /
fit testing /
chi-square /
mean square /
cutoff value
Cite this article
Download Citations
Han WEN Yun-Si LIANG.
The Essence of Testing Structural Equation Models Using Popular Fit Indexes[J]. Journal of Psychological Science. 2015, 38(4): 987-994
{{custom_sec.title}}
{{custom_sec.title}}
{{custom_sec.content}}