Measurement and Construct Equivalence of Three MEOCS Scales Across Eight Sociocultural Groups

摘要

Three scales of the Military Equal Opportunity Climate Survey (MEOCS) were examined for measurement and construct equivalence across eight social cultural groups - White and African-American enlisted and officers of both genders. Two random samples of 1000 were drawn for each group. Weighted least squares and maximum likelihood procedures were used to assess factorial invariance, as well as invariance of indicator residuals, variances of the latent constructs, covariance of the latent constructs, and a subset of mean structures across the eight groups. Results indicated that measurement equivalence existed across the groups, which allowed for examination of construct equivalence. In the construct equivalence analyses, differences were found on mean structures between the enlisted African-American men and other groups. Nonequivalence was also found across the groups on the variances and covariance of the latent constructs. Discussion focused on the practical as well as theoretical implications of the differences that were found. In addition, recommendations were presented for using structural equation modeling in future examination of the various attitude scales administered by the Department of Defense.