Path Analysis with AMOS
Introduction to AMOS
Defining
the major concepts
Path Diagram
Types of variables
Latent variables
Observed variables
Endogenous variables
Exogenous variable
Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA)
Structural Equation Modeling (SEM)
AMOS
AMOS stands for “Analysis of a
Moment Structures”.
It is a statistical software, specially designed and used
for Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), path analysis
(PA), and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).
It is also known as analysis of covariance or causal
modeling software.
In AMOS, we can draw models graphically using simple
drawing tools. AMOS quickly performs the computations
for SEM and displays the results.
Path Diagram
AMOS
Path diagrams are like flowcharts.
They show variables interconnected with lines that are used to indicate
causal flow.
Each path involves two variables (in either boxes or ovals) connected by
either arrows (lines, usually straight, with an arrowhead on one end) or
wires (lines, usually curved, with no arrowhead), or “slings” (with two
arrowheads).
Arrows are used to indicate “directed” relationships, or linear
relationships between two variables.
An arrow from X to Y indicates a linear relationship where Y is the
dependent variable and X the independent variable.
PJ Mot
IJ Trust
DJ Eng
Types of Variables
Observed Variable
Observed variables (sometimes called observable variables
or measured variables) are actually measured by the researcher.
The data that actually exists in your data files — data that has been
measured and recorded are observed variables.
They can be discrete variables or continuous variables.
Observed variables can also be sub-classified with other variable
types. For example, an observed exogenous variable is not
controlled by other variables in the system (it is roughly equivalent
to an independent variable in an experiment) while an
observed endogenous variable is affected by other variables in the
system (it is roughly equivalent to a dependent variable in an
experiment).
Further classifications are also possible, such
as dichotomous observed endogenous variables or dichotomous
observed exogenous variables, which are binary (i.e. they have a
value of 0 or 1).
Latent Variable
The opposite of an observed variable is a latent variable,
also referred to as a factor or construct.
A latent variable is hidden, and therefore can’t be observed.
While observed variables are the only type of variable used
in regression analysis, SEM can handle other types of
variables including latent, unobserved and theoretical
variables.
Observed variables are represented by rectangular nodes in
SEM and latent variables are represented by circles or ellipses.
An important difference between the two types of variables is
that an observed variable usually has a measurement
error associated with it, while a latent variable does not.
Endogenous Variable
A variable Y is said to be endogenous within the
causal model, if its value is determined or influenced
by one or more of the independent variables X
(excluding itself).
They are similar to (but not exactly the same
as) dependent variables. Endogenous variables have
values that are determined by other variables in the
system.
Exogenous Variable
An exogenous variable is a variable that
is not affected by other variables in the system. For
example, take a simple causal system like farming.
Variables like weather, farmer skill, pests, and
availability of seed are all exogenous to crop
production.
Exogenous comes from the Greek Exo, meaning
“outside” and gignomai, meaning “to produce.”
Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA)
Structural Equation Modeling (SEM)
