scholarly journals Testing measurement invariance and latent mean differences across gender groups in college students’ Internet-specific epistemic beliefs

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yen-Lin Chiu ◽  
Chin-Chung Tsai ◽  
Jyh-Chong Liang
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Invariance ◽  
Gender Gap ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Epistemic Beliefs ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
The Internet ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Mean Differences ◽  
Gender Groups ◽  
Latent Mean Analysis

<p>The purposes of this study were to investigate the measurement invariance and gender differences in the Internet-specific epistemic beliefs between male and female undergraduates. A total of 735 university students in Taiwan were surveyed using the Internet-specific epistemic beliefs questionnaire (ISEQ). By conducting structural equation modeling (SEM), the measurement invariance and latent mean comparisons across gendered groups were tested. After the invariance tests were all satisfied, the latent mean analysis approach was conducted. The results of the latent mean comparisons revealed that a gender gap occurred in the uncertainty, complexity and source of Internet-specific epistemic beliefs; however no gender difference was found in the justification dimension. In general, the study findings suggest that differences in beliefs regarding Internet-based knowledge exist between undergraduate males and females. The gendered issue of Internet-based learning and epistemic beliefs cannot be ignored. Finally, some suggestions for developing Internet-related curricula and instruction were also proposed.</p>

Analyzing Observed Composite Differences Across Groups

Methodology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holger Steinmetz
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Measurement Invariance ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Monte Carlo Study ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Factor Loadings ◽  
Latent Mean Differences ◽  
Partial Invariance ◽  
Mean Differences

Although the use of structural equation modeling has increased during the last decades, the typical procedure to investigate mean differences across groups is still to create an observed composite score from several indicators and to compare the composite’s mean across the groups. Whereas the structural equation modeling literature has emphasized that a comparison of latent means presupposes equal factor loadings and indicator intercepts for most of the indicators (i.e., partial invariance), it is still unknown if partial invariance is sufficient when relying on observed composites. This Monte-Carlo study investigated whether one or two unequal factor loadings and indicator intercepts in a composite can lead to wrong conclusions regarding latent mean differences. Results show that unequal indicator intercepts substantially affect the composite mean difference and the probability of a significant composite difference. In contrast, unequal factor loadings demonstrate only small effects. It is concluded that analyses of composite differences are only warranted in conditions of full measurement invariance, and the author recommends the analyses of latent mean differences with structural equation modeling instead.

E-Retail Adoption in Emerging Markets

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 44-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amresh Kumar ◽  
Pallab Sikdar ◽  
Md. Moddassir Alam
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Strong Predictor ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Perceived Ease Of Use ◽  
Online Shoppers ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Gender Groups

A five factor e-shopping adoption model grounded upon TAM and an additional dimension of ‘Trust' has been tested through Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). For testing the hypothesized relations as part of the conceptual model, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) has been employed. A structured instrument has been administered as part of survey to 600 eligible respondents comprising of online shoppers. A total of 539 shoppers spread across national zones, age and gender groups constituted the final sample. Perceived Usefulness (PU), Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU), Trust, Intention to Use (ITU) and Attitude towards Use (ATU) are reliable and valid factors predicting e-shopping adoption. PU and PEOU along with Trust bear significant causation towards ATU. ATU serves as strong predictor of ITU, while PEOU determines PU as well. Further, ATU partially mediates PU and ITU relationship. Present study highlights the applicability of modified TAM framework in predicting the inclination of emerging market consumers to embrace online shopping mediums scantly represented in extant literature.

scholarly journals Accounting for Differential Item Functioning Using Bayesian Approximate Measurement Invariance

2019 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 638-664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgios D. Sideridis ◽  
Ioannis Tsaousis ◽  
Abeer A. Alamri
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Invariance ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
P Value ◽  
National Examination ◽  
Item Functioning ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Mean Differences ◽  
Bayesian Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Approximate Measurement

The main thesis of the present study is to use the Bayesian structural equation modeling (BSEM) methodology of establishing approximate measurement invariance (A-MI) using data from a national examination in Saudi Arabia as an alternative to not meeting strong invariance criteria. Instead, we illustrate how to account for the absence of measurement invariance using relative compared to exact criteria. A secondary goal was to compare latent means across groups using invariant parameters only and through utilizing exact and relative evaluative-MI protocol suggested equivalence of the thresholds using prior variances equal to 0.10. Subsequent differences between groups were evaluated using effect size criteria and the prior-posterior predictive p-value (PPPP), which proved to be invaluable in attesting for differences that are beyond zero, some meaningless nonzero estimate, and the three commonly used indices of effect sizes described by Cohen in 1988 (i.e., .20, .50, and .80). Results substantiated the use of the PPPP for evaluating mean differences across groups when utilizing nonexact evaluative criteria.

scholarly journals Exploring the factor structure of the Passion Scale: Are the dualistic types of passion relevant for workers in the South African context?

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marais S. Bester ◽  
Melinde Coetzee ◽  
Xander Van Lill
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Invariance ◽  
South African ◽  
Factor Structure ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The South ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Psychological Attributes ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Gender Groups

Orientation: It is not clear from research whether the dualistic model holds true across binary ethnic and gender groups in the South African organisational context.Research purpose: The present research aimed to test the validity and reliability of the two-factor Passion Scale and to assess for measurement invariance of the two-factor scale across binary ethnic and gender groups in the South African context.Motivation of the study: The construct of passion helps to better understand some of the psychological attributes that contribute to experiences of either well-being or strain at work and is therefore an important attribute to measure.Research approach, design and method: The study involved a convenience sample (N = 550) of managerial and staff-level South African employees from various industries with a mean age of 34 years (SD = 10.95). Confirmatory factor analysis, exploratory structural equation modelling, t-tests and tests for measurement invariance were performed.Main findings: The results confirmed the validity and measurement invariance of the two-factor structure of the Passion Scale in the South African work context. The observed differences between the ethnic groups and men and women were practically small.Practical/managerial implications: Well-being interventions should consider the use of the Passion Scale as a measure of the psychological attributes that explain differentiating experiences of harmonious and obsessive passion in the workplace.Contribution/value-add: The findings provided encouraging evidence for the relevance and usefulness of the Passion Scale’s dualistic model of passion for people of different binary ethnic and gender groups in South African organisations.

scholarly journals Understanding Gender Differences in Students’ Perceptions of Competency Certification for Enhancing Sustainability in Higher Education

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (19) ◽  
pp. 8233
Author(s):  
Keol Lim ◽  
Sanghyeon Eom ◽  
Donjeong Kim ◽  
Mija Oh
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Gender Gap ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Certification Programs ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
Sustainability In Higher Education ◽  
Gender Groups

This study of 1780 college students in Korea explored gender differences in perceptions of competency certification programs in order to enhance sustainability in higher education. Structural equation modeling explained the optimal validity of the two-factor structure of perceptions between female and male students, and the structural relations between the two factors of competency were invariant across gender groups. A significant difference in latent means was found as well. The findings suggest that, for sustainable development, universities should develop systematic competency certification policies to accommodate students’ needs, as well as those of society, and help bridge the gender gap in the job market.

Age and gender differences in socially aversive (“dark”) personality traits

2021 ◽  
pp. 089020702098843
Author(s):  
Johanna Hartung ◽  
Martina Bader ◽  
Morten Moshagen ◽  
Oliver Wilhelm
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Dark Triad ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Age And Gender ◽  
Measurement Models ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Latent Means

The strong overlap of personality traits discussed under the label of “dark personality” (e.g., psychopathy, spitefulness, moral disengagement) endorses a common framework for socially aversive traits over and beyond the dark triad. Despite the rapidly growing research on socially aversive traits, there is a lack of studies addressing age-associated differences in these traits. In the present study ( N = 12,501), we investigated the structure of the D Factor of Personality across age and gender using local structural equation modeling, thereby expressing the model parameters as a quasi-continuous, nonparametric function of age. Specifically, we evaluated loadings, reliabilities, factor (co-)variances, and means across 35 locally weighted age groups (from 20 to 54 years), separately for females and males. Results indicated that measurement models were highly stable, thereby supporting the conceptualization of the D factor independent of age and gender. Men exhibited uniformly higher latent means than females and all latent means decreased with increasing age. Overall, D and its themes were invariant across age and gender. Therefore, future studies can meaningfully pursue causes of mean differences across age and between genders.

Longitudinal and Gender Measurement Invariance of the Gratitude Questionnaire in Chinese Adolescents

2021 ◽  
pp. 003329412110360
Author(s):  
Qingsong Tan ◽  
Jilin Zou ◽  
Feng Kong
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Invariance ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Longitudinal Measurement Invariance ◽  
Multiple Group ◽  
Longitudinal Measurement ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Adolescent Sample ◽  
Good Internal Consistency ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Mean Differences

The 5-item Gratitude Questionnaire (GQ-5) is one of the most commonly used instruments to measure dispositional gratitude in adolescents. The purpose of this study was to verify the longitudinal measurement invariance (LMI) and gender measurement invariance (GMI) of the GQ-5 that was administered to an adolescent sample twice over the course of 18 months ( N = 669). Single-group confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was adopted to examine the LMI and multiple-group CFA was conducted to assess the GMI. The results showed that the GQ-5 had strong invariance (i.e., equality of factor patterns, loadings, and intercepts) across time and gender. Validation of latent factor mean differences showed that females had higher gratitude scores than males. In addition, the GQ-5 exhibited good internal consistency indices across time and a moderate stability coefficient was also found across an 18-month time interval in adolescents. In summary, our study showed that LMI and GMI of the GQ-5 are satisfactory and the GQ-5 is a reliable instrument for measuring gratitude in adolescents.

Military Background and Gender Identity in Psychological Assessment Among College Students: Factorial Invariance of the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms–62 (CCAPS-62)

Assessment ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 107319112199876
Author(s):  
Arpita Ghosh ◽  
Christopher R. Niileksela ◽  
Rebecca Janis
Keyword(s):  
Gender Identity ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
College Counseling ◽  
Counseling Center ◽  
Factorial Invariance ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Military Background ◽  
And Gender

The purpose of this study was to examine the factorial invariance of the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms–62 (CCAPS-62) across military background and gender identity. A sample of 2,208 military students and 2,208 nonmilitary students were chosen from a large database of university and college counseling centers. Using exploratory structural equation modeling, findings suggested the CCAPS-62 is mostly invariant across military background and gender identity. Only three item thresholds appeared to be noninvariant across groups. These results suggest comparisons of scores across military background and gender can be made. Latent mean differences across groups were also examined. After controlling for several background variables, there were some differences between males and females on subscales measuring depression, eating concerns, and generalized anxiety, but no differences between military and nonmilitary students. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.

The Structure of the Emotional Processing Scale (EPS-25)

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Marco Lauriola ◽  
Maria Anna Donati ◽  
Cristina Trentini ◽  
Manuela Tomai ◽  
Stefano Pontone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Emotional Processing ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Emotional Experience ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Medical Patients ◽  
Confirmatory Factor Analyses ◽  
Mean Differences

Abstract. The Emotional Processing Scale (EPS) assesses emotional processing in terms of suppression, signs of unprocessed emotion, controllability of emotions, avoidance of emotional triggers, and impoverished emotional experience. Previous confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) yielded insufficient fit and questioned the EPS factors’ discriminant validity. The present study aimed to test unidimensional, five-factor, and bifactor models using exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) and CFA. We administered the scale to 350 Italian participants in good health and 346 gastrointestinal patients referred for endoscopy because of mild-to-severe gastrointestinal symptoms. ESEM models outperformed corresponding CFA models. The bifactor ESEM model was a good fit in single group analyses and achieved metric and scalar invariance in multigroup analyses. The inspection of latent mean differences revealed a consistent trend for patients to avoid emotional triggers and have less general emotional processing difficulties. The study clarified the EPS factor structure and supported its use to assess the emotional processing of medical patients and community participants.

scholarly journals Person perception across group boundaries: a dynamic model of perception across race and gender lines

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally Yan-Jun Xie
Keyword(s):  
Face Perception ◽  
Impression Formation ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Person Perception ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Modeling Framework ◽  
Race And Gender ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Trait Impressions

People form impressions of others from their faces, inferring character traits (e.g., friendly) along two broad, influential dimensions: Warmth and Competence. Although these two dimensions are presumed to be independent, research has yet to examine the generalizability of this model to cross-group impressions, despite extant evidence that Warmth and Competence are not independent for outgroup targets. This thesis explores this possibility by testing models of person perception for own-group and other-group perceptions, implementing confirmatory factor analysis in a structural equation modeling framework, and analyzing the underlying trait space using representational similarity analysis. I fit 402,473 ratings of 873 unique faces from 5,040 participants on 14 trait impressions to own-group and other-group models, exploring whether perceptions across race and gender are more unidimensional. Results indicate that current models of face perception fit poorly and are not universal as presumed: the space of trait impressions varies depending on targets’ race and gender. Keywords: person perception, impression formation, face perception, intergroup processes, social cognition

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document