Does the Constraint of Factor Loadings Impair Model Fit and Accuracy in Parameter Estimation?

摘要

The paper reports on the comparison of models of measurement with constrained and free factor loadings as part of confirmatory factor analysis in a simulation study. The comparison was conducted in order to find out whether constrained factor loadings that cause a reduced degree of adaptability to specificities of data mean a disadvantage in comparison to factor loadings that are freely estimated. Furthermore, the way of conducting the link transformation, the sample size and the number of variables were varied. The simulated data were dichotomous and constructed to conform to one underlying source of responding. The investigation of model fit and accuracy in estimating factor loadings yielded similar results for constrained and free factor loadings in confirmatory factor analysis. Furthermore, there were effects due to the type of link transformation and sample size.