After specification of a structural equation model and before estimation of parameters, the identification status of the model must be determined. For the measurement portion of the model, however, there are very few rules to help the researcher verify whether the model is identified or not. This article introduces a necessary and sufficient identification rule for models of factor complexity one. The rule is easy to understand, is easy to apply, and applies to portions as well as to the whole model. Moreover, it provides a diagnostic tool that helps with identification questions. Many examples are given.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Bekker, P. A.1989. “Identification in Restricted Factor Models and Evaluation of Rank Conditions.”Journal of Econometrica41:5-17.
2.
Bekker, P. A.
, A. Merckens, and T. J. Wansbeek. 1994. Identification Equivalent Models and Computer Algebra. New York: Academic Press.
3.
Bollen, Kenneth A.
1989. Structural Equations With Latent Variables. New York: Wiley.
4.
Bollen, Kenneth
and Karl G. Jöreskog. 1985. “Uniqueness Does Not Imply Identification: A Note on Confirmatory Factor Analysis.”Sociological Methods & Research14:155-163.
5.
Davis, Walter R.1993. “The FC1 Rule of Identification for Confirmatory Factor Analysis: A General Sufficient Condition.”Sociological Methods & Research21:403-437.
6.
Fisher, F. M.
1976. The Identification Problem in Econometrics. Huntington, NY: Krieger.
7.
Jöreskog, Karl G.
and Dag Sörbom. 1988. LISREL 7: A Guide to the Program and Applications. Chicago: SPSS Inc.
8.
Kenny, D. A.
1979. Correlation and Causality. New York: Wiley.
9.
Long, Scott
. 1983. Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
10.
Rindskopf, D.1984. “Structural Equation Models: Empirical Identification, Heywood Cases, and Related Problems.”Sociological Methods & Research13:109-119.
11.
Wald, A.
1950. “A Note on the Identification of Economic Relations.” Pp. 238-244 in Statistical Inference in Dynamic Economic Models, edited by T. C. Koopmans. New York: Wiley.
12.
Wiley, David E.
1973. “The Identification Problem for Structural Equation Models With Unmeasured Variables.” Pp. 69-83 in Structural Equation Models in the Social Sciences, edited by Goldberger and Duncan. New York: Academic Press.
