Structural Equation Modeling: A Comprehensive Guide for PhD Students

Question 1

Which of the following is an example of an unobserved variable (Latent variable)?

Accepted Answer

Intelligence

Answer

Age

Answer

Gender

Answer

Income

Question 2

Which type of model in confirmatory factor analysis specifies that latent factors are caused by observed variables?

Accepted Answer

Formative model

Answer

Reflective model

Answer

Hierarchical model

Answer

Structural model

Question 3

In Structural Equation Modeling, an endogenous variable differs from an exogenous variable primarily because:

Accepted Answer

An endogenous variable is affected by other variables in the model, while an exogenous variable is not

Answer

An exogenous variable is affected by other variables in the model, while an endogenous variable is not

Answer

Both endogenous and exogenous variables are affected by other variables in the model

Answer

Neither endogenous nor exogenous variables are affected by other variables in the model

Question 4

In structural equation modeling, which technique uses random data samples to estimate model parameters and assess their reliability?

Accepted Answer

Bootstrapping

Answer

Bayesian estimation

Answer

Maximum likelihood estimation

Question 5

What is the primary purpose of path analysis in SEM?

Accepted Answer

To estimate the impact of independent variables on dependent variables.

Answer

To evaluate the overall fit of a model to data.

Answer

To identify latent variables that underlie observed variables.

Answer

To determine the extent of measurement error in variables.

Question 6

What is the primary purpose of bootstrapping in SEM?

Accepted Answer

To generate confidence intervals for parameter estimates.

Answer

To estimate the standard errors of parameter estimates.

Answer

To determine the significance of parameter estimates.

Answer

To create new datasets for analysis.

Question 7

What is the purpose of confirmatory factor analysis in SEM?

Accepted Answer

To identify latent variables that underlie observed variables.

Answer

To estimate the impact of exogenous variables on endogenous variables.

Answer

To evaluate the overall fit of a model to data.

Answer

To determine the extent of measurement error in variables.

Question 8

Revised: What is the primary purpose of a path diagram in SEM?

Accepted Answer

Correct: To provide a visual representation of variable relationships within the model.

Answer

To assist in the computation of model parameters.

Answer

To evaluate the model's fit against the data.

Answer

None of the aforementioned.

Question 9

Revised: Which fit index is commonly employed to assess the overall fit of a SEM model?

Accepted Answer

Correct: Comparative fit index (CFI)

Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

Root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA)

Answer

Akaike information criterion (AIC)

Question 10

Revised: Differentiate between a goodness-of-fit test and a hypothesis test in SEM:

Accepted Answer

Correct: A goodness-of-fit test evaluates the overall model fit, while a hypothesis test examines the significance of individual model parameters.

Answer

A hypothesis test evaluates the overall model fit, while a goodness-of-fit test examines the significance of individual model parameters.

Answer

There is no distinction between a goodness-of-fit test and a hypothesis test in SEM.

Answer

Both goodness-of-fit tests and hypothesis tests examine the significance of individual model parameters.

Question 11

What is the primary goal of path analysis?

Accepted Answer

Examining causal links between variables.

Answer

Identifying latent factors influencing observed variables.

Answer

Estimating structural equation model parameters.

Answer

Evaluating the fit of a structural equation model.

Question 12

What is the purpose of model trimming?

Accepted Answer

Eliminating non-significant paths in a structural equation model.

Answer

Adding non-significant paths to a structural equation model.

Answer

Estimating structural equation model parameters.

Answer

Assessing the fit of a structural equation model.

Question 13

What is the primary objective of mediation analysis?

Accepted Answer

Testing if a third variable mediates the relationship between two others.

Answer

Establishing causal relationships between variables.

Answer

Estimating structural equation model parameters.

Answer

Evaluating the fit of a structural equation model.

Question 14

What should be the primary consideration when conducting structural equation modeling analysis?

Accepted Answer

Research question.

Answer

Sample size.

Answer

Statistical software.

Answer

Computer hardware.

Question 15

What is the primary purpose of path analysis within structural equation modeling?

Accepted Answer

To investigate and test hypothesized causal relationships between variables.

Answer

To evaluate the validity of a measurement model.

Answer

To identify the underlying latent factors influencing a group of observed variables.

Question 16

Which of the following is a commonly used model fit index in structural equation modeling?

Accepted Answer

Comparative Fit Index (CFI)

Answer

Student's t-test (used for comparing means between two groups)

Answer

Cronbach's Alpha (used for assessing internal consistency reliability of a scale)

Answer

Pearson's Correlation Coefficient (used for measuring linear association between variables)

Question 17

What distinguishes a saturated model from an over-identified model in structural equation modeling?

Accepted Answer

A saturated model has the exact number of parameters needed to perfectly fit the data, while an over-identified model has more parameters than required, leading to potential overfitting.

Answer

A saturated model has fewer parameters than necessary, while an over-identified model has just enough parameters to fit the data.

Question 18

What is the primary purpose of a goodness-of-fit test in structural equation modeling?

Accepted Answer

To assess how well the proposed model replicates the observed data.

Answer

To identify the most influential variables in the model.

Answer

To estimate the specific values of the model parameters.

Answer

To test the statistical significance of individual parameters.

Question 19

Which of the following presents a potential limitation of structural equation modeling?

Accepted Answer

The requirement of a sufficiently large sample size for reliable analysis.

Answer

The lack of flexibility in specifying the model.

Answer

The relative ease of interpreting the results of the model.

Answer

The ability to analyze complex relationships between variables.

Question 20

What is the purpose of conducting a mediation analysis within structural equation modeling?

Accepted Answer

To investigate the indirect effect of one variable on another through the influence of a third variable.

Answer

To identify the underlying latent factors influencing a group of observed variables.

Answer

To test the validity of a measurement model.

Question 21

What is the key difference between a formative and a reflective measurement model?

Accepted Answer

In a formative measurement model, the observed variables contribute to or cause the latent variable, while in a reflective measurement model, the latent variable influences or causes the observed variables.

Answer

In a formative measurement model, the observed variables are independent, while in a reflective measurement model, the observed variables are correlated.