ERIC Number: EJ1012548
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 27
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1070-5511
EISSN: N/A
Neglect the Structure of Multitrait-Multimethod Data at Your Peril: Implications for Associations with External Variables
Castro-Schilo, Laura; Widaman, Keith F.; Grimm, Kevin J.
Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal, v20 n2 p181-207 2013
In 1959, Campbell and Fiske introduced the use of multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) matrices in psychology, and for the past 4 decades confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) has commonly been used to analyze MTMM data. However, researchers do not always fit CFA models when MTMM data are available; when CFA modeling is used, multiple models are available that have attendant strengths and weaknesses. In this article, we used a Monte Carlo simulation to investigate the drawbacks of either using CFA models that fail to match the data-generating model or completely ignore the MTMM structure of data when the research goal is to uncover associations between trait constructs and external variables. We then used data from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development to illustrate the substantive implications of fitting models that partially or completely ignore MTMM data structures. Results from analyses of both simulated and empirical data show noticeable biases when the MTMM data structure is partially or completely neglected. (Contains 8 tables and 2 figures.)
Descriptors: Multitrait Multimethod Techniques, Factor Analysis, Structural Equation Models, Monte Carlo Methods, Goodness of Fit, Statistical Bias, Correlation, Child Care, Child Development, Grade 1, Elementary School Students, Behavior Problems, Mothers, Fathers, Depression (Psychology), Gender Differences, Racial Differences, Construct Validity
Psychology Press. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Grade 1; Early Childhood Education; Elementary Education; Primary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale; Child Behavior Checklist
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A