Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

On specifying the null model for incremental fit indices in structural equation modeling.

Keith F Widaman1, Jane S Thompson

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis 95616-8686, USA. kfwidaman@ucdavis.edu

Psychological Methods
|May 14, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Structural equation modeling fit indices can be misleading when using standard null models. Researchers should use modified null models for accurate interpretation of incremental fit index values in statistical analysis.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Measurement invariance of the perceived discrimination scale across race/ethnicity and sex: Findings from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) study.

SSM. Mental health·2026
Same author

Clinical Manifestations.

Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association·2025
Same author

Public Health.

Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association·2025
Same author

Model-Based Person Fit Statistics Applied to the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale IV.

Educational and psychological measurement·2025
Same author

Novel modelling approaches to elucidate the genetic architecture of resilience to Alzheimer's disease.

Brain : a journal of neurology·2025
Same author

Thinking About Sum Scores Yet Again, Maybe the Last Time, We Don't Know, Oh No . . .: A Comment on.

Educational and psychological measurement·2024

Area of Science:

  • Statistics
  • Psychometrics
  • Quantitative Psychology

Background:

  • Incremental fit indices in structural equation modeling (SEM) compare a substantive model to a null model.
  • The standard null model, with unconstrained variances, is often an improper comparison.
  • This leads to uninterpretable incremental fit index values in SEM software.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To address the issue of improper null models in SEM.
  • To guide researchers in formulating acceptable, modified null models.
  • To clarify the interpretation of incremental fit indices.

Main Methods:

  • Formulating modified null models for SEM.
  • Predicting changes in fit index values with modified null models.
  • Illustrating effects on fit index values with empirical examples.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Standard null models are frequently inappropriate for SEM.
  • Modified null models provide a proper comparison basis.
  • Using modified null models alters incremental fit index values predictably.

Conclusions:

  • Incremental fit index values from standard null models should be disregarded when improper.
  • Modified null models are essential for valid SEM interpretation.
  • Proper model specification enhances the reliability of SEM findings.