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Amos (Software)

Chapter · November 2017

DOI: 10.1002/9781118901731.iecrm0003

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Amos (Software)
MATTHEW BARNIDGE and HOMERO GIL DE ZÚÑIGA
University of Vienna, Austria

Amos (Analysis of Moment Structures) is an IBM SPSS Statistics module designed for
the analysis of covariance structure models, including structural equation modeling
(SEM), path analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). It is commonly com-
pared to other statistical applications designed for similar purposes, including Mplus
and LISREL.
Amos features a user-friendly graphical interface that allows nonprogrammers to
visually construct models with common online drawing tools. Rectangles represent
observed variables, while circles symbolize latent variables. One-sided arrows show
hypothesized cause/effect relationships, and two-sided arrows illustrate nondirectional
covariances. Users can change the size of these elements and rearrange the structure of
the diagram. Amos documentation (Arbuckle, 2014) provides detailed instructions for
using the graphical interface, as well as interactive examples.
Amos users who prefer text-based commands can opt for the Program Editor, which
accommodates the Visual Basic (VB.NET) and C# programming languages. The Pro-
gram Editor makes it easier to analyze a large number of models. Amos documentation
(Arbuckle, 2014) also provides more information about the Program Editor.
By default, Amos performs full information maximum likelihood estimation, but it
provides options for estimation by unweighted least squares, generalized least squares,
and Bayesian estimation (see below), among others. It also provides alternatives
for handling missing data, including multiple imputation by regression, stochastic
regression, and Bayesian methods. Although Amos was designed specifically for
covariance structure models, it can perform other kinds of statistical analyses, includ-
ing but not limited to multiple linear regression and analysis of variance/covariance
(ANOVA/ANCOVA).
Amos features an easy-to-use interface for bootstrapping methods, which can be
applied to parameter estimates, effect estimates, sample means, sample variances and
covariances, correlations, model comparisons, and comparisons of estimation methods.
It can accommodate nonrecursive models, models with fixed parameters, and models
based on data from multiple populations. Typical output includes variable summaries,
assessments of normality, model specification indices, model fit statistics, model param-
eters, and multiple model comparisons.
Amos contains a suite of tools for Bayesian estimation, including Markov chain
Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods, multiple imputation, convergence assessment, model

The International Encyclopedia of Communication Research Methods. Jörg Matthes (General Editor),
Christine S. Davis and Robert F. Potter (Associate Editors).
© 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Published 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
DOI: 10.1002/9781118901731.iecrm0003
2 A M O S ( S O F T WA R E)

diagnostics, and plotting tools. It can also accommodate nondiffuse prior distributions.
The Amos documentation (Arbuckle, 2014) provides details.
Currently, Amos is only available for Windows operating systems (at the time of
writing the latest version is IBM SPSS Amos 23). It can be launched as a standalone
application or through SPSS, and it can read data from various file types, including but
not limited to *.xls and *.sav files.
If you are affiliated with an institution of higher education, access to Amos may be
provided through the library system or a computing cooperative. A student version is
available through the SPSS Statistics GradPack.
For more information, see IBM’s product description (http://www-03.ibm.com/
software/products/en/spss-amos) and documentation (Arbuckle, 2014). To download
Amos, see IBM’s download page (http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?
uid=swg24038593).
Kline (2011) provides an excellent text for further reading about covariance structure
models, while Byrne (2013) provides a text that focuses specifically on Amos. Albright
and Park (2009) and Byrne (2001) give good comparisons of Amos with comparable
statistical applications.

SEE ALSO: Bootstrapping; Causal Inference; Conditional Process Modeling (Mediation

Analysis, Moderated Mediation Analysis, Moderation Analysis, and Mediated Modera-
tion Analysis); Effect Size; Empirical and Nonempirical Methods; Experimental Design;
Factor Analysis, Confirmatory; Latent Class Analysis; Mplus; Stata (Software); Struc-
tural Equation Modeling

References

Albright, J. J., & Park, H. M. (2009). Confirmatory factor analysis using Amos, LISREL, Mplus and
SAS/STAT CALIS. Working paper. The University Information Technology Services (UITS)
Center for Statistical and Mathematical Computing, Indiana University. Retrieved from http://
www.indiana.edu/~statmath/stat/all/cfa/index.html
Arbuckle, J. L. (2014). IBM SPSS Amos 23 user’s guide. IBM, Amos Development Corporation.
Retrieved from ftp://public.dhe.ibm.com/software/analytics/spss/documentation/amos/23.0/
en/Manuals/IBM_SPSS_Amos_User_Guide.pdf
Byrne, B. M. (2001). Structural equation modeling with AMOS, EQS, and LISREL: Comparative
approaches to testing for the factorial validity of a measuring instrument. International Journal
of Testing, 1(1), 55–86. doi:10.1207/S15327574IJT0101_4
Byrne, B. M. (2013). Structural equation modeling with AMOS: Basic concepts, applications, and
programming, 3rd ed. New York: Taylor & Francis.
Kline, R. B. (2011). Principles and practice of structural equation modeling, 3rd ed. New York:
Guilford Press.

Further reading

Afthanorhan, W. M. A. B. W., & Ahmad, S. (2014). Path analysis in covariance-based structural

equation modeling with Amos 18.0. European Journal of Business and Social Sciences, 2(6), 10.
 A M O S ( S O F T WA R E) 3

Blunch, N. (2012). Introduction to structural equation modeling using IBM SPSS statistics and
AMOS. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
Keith, T. Z. (2014). Multiple regression and beyond: An introduction to multiple regression and
structural equation modeling. New York: Routledge.
Kline, R. B. (2015). Principles and practice of structural equation modeling, 4th ed. New York:
Guilford Press.

Matthew Barnidge (PhD, University of Wisconsin–Madison) is a postdoctoral

researcher in the Department of Communication’s Media Innovation Laboratory
(MiLab) at the University of Vienna. His research specializes in hybrid media practices
and contentious political communication.

Homero Gil de Zúñiga (PhD in politics at the Universidad Europea de Madrid and PhD
in mass communication at the University of Wisconsin–Madison) holds the Medien-
wandel professorship at the University of Vienna, where he directs the Media Innova-
tion Laboratory (MiLab). He also serves as research fellow at the Universidad Diego
Portales, Chile and at Princeton University. His research addresses the influence of
new technologies and digital media over people’s daily lives, as well as the effect of
such use on the overall democratic process. He has published several books and book
chapters, and over 50 articles in academic peer-reviewed journals such as Communica-
tion Research, Journal of Communication, Journal of Computer-Mediated Communica-
tion, and New Media & Society.

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