Analyzing cross-lag effects: A comparison of different cross-lag modeling approaches.

Developmental researchers often have research questions about cross-lag effects-the effect of one variable predicting a second variable at a subsequent time point. The cross-lag panel model (CLPM) is often fit to longitudinal panel data to examine cross-lag effects; however, its utility has recently been called into question because of its inability to distinguish between-person effects from within-person effects. This has led to alternative forms of the CLPM to be proposed to address these limitations, including the random-intercept CLPM and the latent curve model with structured residuals. We describe these models focusing on the interpretation of their model parameters, and apply them to examine cross-lag associations between reading and mathematics. The results from the various models suggest reading and mathematics are reciprocally related; however, the strength of these lagged associations was model dependent. We highlight the strengths and limitations of each approach and make recommendations regarding modeling choice.

Estimation of Latent Variable Scores with Multiple Group Item Response Models: Implications for Integrative Data Analysis.

Integrative data analysis (IDA) involves obtaining multiple datasets, scaling the data to a common metric, and jointly analyzing the data. The first step in IDA is to scale the multisample item-level data to a common metric, which is often done with multiple group item response models (MGM). With invariance constraints tested and imposed, the estimated latent variable scores from the MGM serve as an observed variable in subsequent analyses. This approach was used with empirical multiple group data and different latent variable estimates were obtained for individuals with the same response pattern from different studies. A Monte Carlo simulation study was then conducted to compare the accuracy of latent variable estimates from the MGM, a single-group item response model, and an MGM where group differences are ignored. Results suggest that these alternative approaches led to consistent and equally accurate latent variable estimates. Implications for IDA are discussed.