Deck 22: Structural Equation Modeling and Path Analysis

Question 1

It is recommended that each construct be measured by using at least three observed variables.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

SEM models are estimated so as to minimize the difference between the observed and
estimated covariance matrices.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

SEM models are estimated so as to minimize the sum of squares between constructs.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Having at least three observed variables for each latent construct is a way to help make sure
that the model is identified.

Question 5

When two constructs are theoretically unrelated to each other, the path between those two
constructs should be be assigned a value of 1.

Question 6

Measured variables or indicators are the actual items that are measured using a survey
questionnaire.

Question 7

SEM analysis is based on raw data, rather than a correlation or covariance.

Question 8

An exogenous construct is represented in an structural path model as a box with one-headed arrows going into it.

Question 9

The confirmatory factor analysis is used to verify the factor structure of a set of observed
variables.

Question 10

An exogenous construct is represented in an structural path model as a an oval with no
one-headed arrows going into it.

Question 11

SEM models are estimated so as to maximize the likelihood function.

Question 12

Dependence relationships are represented with one-headed straight arrows in a path model.

Question 13

Dependence relationships are represented with two-headed curved arrows in a path model.

Question 14

When two constructs are theoretically unrelated to each other, the path between those two
constructs should be "free."

Question 15

Generally, we use SEM to find a suitable model.

Question 16

Constructs are the actual items that are measured using a survey questionnaire.

Question 17

SEM is distinguished by the explaining of the covariance among the measured items or
observed variables.

Question 18

A construct is an unobservable or latent variable that can be defined in conceptual terms that
can be measured directly.

Question 19

SEM is a procedure for estimating a series of dependence relationships among a set of concepts or constructs represented by multiple measured variables and incorporated in to an integrated model.

Question 20

When two constructs are theoretically unrelated to each other, the path between those two
constructs should be "fixed."

Question 21

In moving from the measurement model to the structural model the exogenous constructs each
become endogenous.

Question 22

The impact of the average error variance of indicators can be understood in terms of communality.

Question 23

A 0.90 value for RMSEA is considered conservative.

Question 24

GFI of .95 or higher is a way to help make sure that the model is identified.

Question 25

In moving from the measurement model to the structural model the error terms are correlated
with each other.

Question 26

In moving from the measurement model to the structural model the emphasis shifts from the
relationships between latent constructs and measured variables to the nature and magnitude of the relationships between constructs.

Question 27

In moving from the measurement model to the structural model the endogenous constructs
become exogenous.

Question 28

Construct validity is established when the measured items are conceptually consistent with a construct definition.

Question 29

NFI is an incremental fit index.

Question 30

RMSR is an absolute fit index.

Question 31

The baseline model that is commonly used is the null model that is based on the assumption
that the observed variables are uncorrelated.

Question 32

RNI is a parsimony fit index.

Question 33

A 0.04 value for RMSEA is considered conservative.

Question 34

RMSEA is an incremental fit index.

Question 35

TLI is an absolute fit index.

Question 36

TFI is a fit measure used in SEM

Question 37

Convergent validity is established when the measured items are conceptually consistent with a
construct definition.

Question 38

CFI is an incremental fit index.

Question 39

A 0.07 value for RMSEA is considered conservative.

Question 40

CFI is an absolute fit index.

Question 41

The specification of which variables load on which factors is a difference contrasting EFA with CFA.

Question 42

Path analysis can be viewed as a special case of SEM.

Question 43

SEM can be thought of as a combination of MANOVA and multiple regression analysis.

Question 44

________ are the actual items that are measured using a survey questionnaire.

A)Constructs
B)Measured variables or indicators
C)Latent factors
D)Observed factors
E)Estimated Parameter

Question 45

A proposed structural model involves four constructs, two of which are exogenous. X1 and
X2 together cause Y1, which in turn causes Y2. This model is recursive.

Question 46

A sample size of 1000 is used to test a structural model of advertising effectiveness for the
Coca-Cola company. The results show that a significant relationship exists between advertising effectiveness and sales. The estimated value of the standardized path estimate is .035. The Coca-Cola management dismisses the finding because the relationship is trivial.

Question 47

SEM can be thought of as a combination of Factor analysis and multiple regression analysis.

Question 48

A proposed structural model involves three constructs, one of which are exogenous. X1 causes Y1, which in turn causes Y2. This model is nonrecursive.

Question 49

Once the validity of the measurement model has been established, you can proceed with the
specification of structural model.

Question 50

Which of the following is true about Structural Equation Modeling?

A)In SEM, the constructs are unobservable or latent factors that are representative by multiple variables.
B)SEM explicitly takes into account the measurement error.
C)SEM is mainly used as an exploratory technique.
D)A and B are true
E)A, B, and C are true.

Question 51

The size of the loading estimates considered significant is a difference contrasting EFA with CFA.

Question 52

SEM can be thought of as a combination of MANOVA and ANOVA.

Question 53

Which of the following are true regarding exogenous constructs?

A)An exogenous construct is the latent, multi-item equivalent of an independent variable in traditional multivariate analysis.
B)An exogenous construct is determined by factors outside of the model.
C)Graphically, an exogenous construct does not have any paths coming to it.
D)A and C are correct.
E)A, B, and C are correct.

Question 54

RMSR statistic is most useful for comparing nested models.

Question 55

SEM can be thought of as a combination of MANOVA and Exploratory factor analysis.

Question 56

SEM can be thought of as a combination of Discriminant analysis and cluster analysis.

Question 57

PNFI statistic is most useful for comparing nested models.

Question 58

Δχ² statistic is most useful for comparing nested models.

Question 59

In SEM, the posited relationships between constructs are tested similarly to the way they are tested using cluster analysis.

Question 60

Which of the following is a distinguishing characteristic of SEM?

A)The estimation of multiple and interrelated dependence relationships simultaneously in a single analysis.
B)The explaining of the covariance among the measured items or observed variables.
C)The ability to discriminate multiple groups in a single analysis.
D)A and B.
E)A, B, and C.

Question 61

SEM has the following characteristics:

A)representation of constructs as unobservable or latent factors in dependence relationships.
B)estimation of multiple and interrelated dependence relationships incorporated in an integrated model.
C)incorporation of measurement error in an explicit manner.
D)explanation of covariance among the observed variables.
E)All of the above

Question 62

Which of the following steps are involved in conducting SEM?

A)Define the individual constructs.
B)Specify the measurement model.
C)Assess measurement model reliability and validity.
D)Specify the structural model if the measurement model is valid.
E)All of the above.

Question 63

Dependence relationships are represented with ________ in a path model.

A)two-headed straight arrows
B)two-headed curved arrows
C)ovals
D)boxes
E)None of the above

Question 64

Which is not an absolute fit index?

A)CFI
B)SRMR
C)NFI
D)Chi-square
E)A and C

Question 65

Which statistic is most useful for comparing nested models?

A)Δχ²
B)AGFI
C)RMSR
D)NNFI
E)PNFI

Question 66

Which of the following is not a fit measure?

A)RMSR
B)SRMR
C)GFI
D)TFI
E)CFI

Question 67

How is an exogenous construct represented in an structural path model?

A)It is represented by a box with one-headed arrows going into it.
B)It is represented by a box with one-headed arrows going into it and two headed arrows.
C)It is represented by an oval with no arrows.
D)The construct is represented by an oval with no one-headed arrows going into it.
E)None of the above

Question 68

Which is a way to help make sure that the model is identified?

A)have at least three observed variables for each latent construct
B)have all formative indicators
C)a GFI of .95 or higher
D)a large sample size
E)none of the above

Question 69

When two constructs are theoretically unrelated to each other, the path between those two constructs should be ________.

A)free
B)fixed
C)assigned a value of 1
D)estimated
E)None of the above

Question 70

Which is not an incremental fit index?

A)GFI
B)NFI
C)CFI
D)RMSR
E)A and D

Question 71

SEM models are estimated so as to:

A)maximize the likelihood function.
B)minimize the difference between the observed and estimated covariance matrices.
C)minimize the sum of squares between constructs.
D)minimize the least squared difference.
E)A and C

Question 72

In a tests of a structural model, the path between store preference and store patronage has a coefficient of .85. What does this provide evidence of?

A)time order of occurrence
B)nonspurious association
C)absence of other casual factors
D)the hypothesis that preference causes store patronage is supported
E)None of the above

Question 73

Which of the following are true regarding SEM models?

A)A SEM model consists of two models: the measurement model and the structural model.
B)The measurement model depicts how the observed variable represent constructs.
C)The observed variables are measured by researcher.
D)A structural model shows how the constructs are interrelated to each other, often with multiple dependence relationships.
E)All of the above.

Question 74

A proposed structural model involves four constructs, two of which are exogenous. X1 and X2 together cause Y1, which in turn causes Y2. What term describes this model?

A)descriptive
B)empirical
C)nonrecursive
D)recursive
E)None of the above

Question 75

Which of the following value(s)for RMSEA are considered conservative?

A)0)04
B)0)06
C)0)90
D)0)99
E)A and B

Question 76

The diagnostic cues that can be used to make appropriate modifications include:

A)the path estimates or loadings.
B)standardized residual.
C)modification indices.
D)specification search.
E)All of the above

Question 77

In moving from the measurement model to the structural model:

A)The error terms are correlated with each other.
B)The emphasis shifts from the relationships between latent constructs and measured variables to the nature and magnitude of the relationships between constructs.
C)The exogenous constructs each become endogenous.
D)The endogenous constructs become exogenous.
E)None of the above

Question 78

Model fit includes the following steps:

A)Produce correlations or covariances among the items.
B)Estimate the covariance matrix between the observed variables based on the proposed measurement and structural models.
C)Model fit is determined by comparing how closely the estimated covariance matrix matches the observed covariance matrix.
D)Examine the residuals.
E)All of the above.

Question 79

The validity of the measurement model depends on:

A)Goodness-of-fit results.
B)Composite reliability.
C)Convergent validity.
D)Discriminant validity.
E)All of the above

Question 80

________ is established when the measured items are conceptually consistent with a construct definition.

A)Nomological validity
B)Composite reliability
C)Convergent validity
D)Discriminant validity
E)None of the above