Should researchers use single indicators, best indicators, or multiple indicators in structural equation models?
BMC Med Res Methodol
; 12: 159, 2012 Oct 22.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23088287
BACKGROUND: Structural equation modeling developed as a statistical melding of path analysis and factor analysis that obscured a fundamental tension between a factor preference for multiple indicators and path modeling's openness to fewer indicators. DISCUSSION: Multiple indicators hamper theory by unnecessarily restricting the number of modeled latents. Using the few best indicators - possibly even the single best indicator of each latent - encourages development of theoretically sophisticated models. Additional latent variables permit stronger statistical control of potential confounders, and encourage detailed investigation of mediating causal mechanisms. SUMMARY: We recommend the use of the few best indicators. One or two indicators are often sufficient, but three indicators may occasionally be helpful. More than three indicators are rarely warranted because additional redundant indicators provide less research benefit than single indicators of additional latent variables. Scales created from multiple indicators can introduce additional problems, and are prone to being less desirable than either single or multiple indicators.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Projetos de Pesquisa
/
Indicadores Básicos de Saúde
/
Modelos Estatísticos
Tipo de estudo:
Etiology_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2012
Tipo de documento:
Article