Multiple-Group Analysis Using the sem Package in the R System

摘要

Multiple-group analysis in covariance-based structural equation modeling (SEM) is an important technique to ensure the invariance of latent construct measurements and the validity of theoretical models across different subpopulations. However, not all SEM software packages provide multiple-group analysis capabilities. The sem package for the R system, which holds an important position as the only open-source SEM software, does not currently offer multigroup analysis. This article offers an alternative to true multigroup modeling that is easy to understand and apply in the R software. It is limited, however, by the constraint that groups require equal sample size.