Commentary on Factorial Versus Typological Models: Complementary Evidence in the Model Selection Process

摘要

The notion that there is often no clear distinction between factorial and typological models (von Davier, Naemi, & Roberts, this issue) is sound. As the authors state, theory often indicates a preference between these models; however the statistical criteria by which these are delineated offer much less clarity. In many ways the procedure that the authors are discussing is reminiscent of the instrument validation process. In both cases it is not a search for the truth. We do not ask ourselves if an instrument is valid or if the model we choose is the true one. Instead we concern ourselves with whether the inferences that can be drawn, from an instrument or a model, are tenable. In both situations the goal is to gather as much evidence as possible to that end.