Cited by 668Psychometric Methodologies and TestingStatistical Methods and Bayesian InferenceStatistical Distribution Estimation and Applications

CFI versus RMSEA: a comparison of two fit indexes for structural equation modeling

Rigdon, Edward E.·1996·Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal

Abstract

This article compares two structural equation modeling fit indexes—Bentler's ( 1990; Bentler & Bonett, 1980) Confirmatory Fit Index (CFI) and Steiger and Lind's (1980; Browne & Cudeck, 1993) Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA). These two fit indexes are both conceptually linked to the noncentral chi‐square distribution, but CFI has seen much wider use in applied research, whereas RMSEA has only recently been gaining attention. The article suggests that use of CFI is problematic because of its baseline model. CFI seems to be appropriate in more exploratory contexts, whereas RMSEA is appropriate in more confirmatory contexts. On the other hand, CFI does have an established parsimony adjustment, although the adjustment included in RMSEA may be inadequate.

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Authors
Rigdon, E. E.
Affiliations
Georgia State University (US)
Corresponding author
Rigdon, Edward E.
Venue
Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal
Published
1996-01
Volume
3
Issue
4
Pages
369-379
ISSN
  • 1070-5511 (ISSN-L)
  • 1532-8007
OpenAlex
W2024934382
Cited by
668
References
4
Citations by year
2026: 18 · 2025: 52 · 2024: 47 · 2023: 56 · 2022: 53 · 2021: 57 · 2020: 44 · 2019: 47 · 2018: 27 · 2017: 28 · 2016: 24 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 26 · 2013: 19 · 2012: 12
FWCI
10.69
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Structural Equation Modeling A Multidisciplinary Journal (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
  • Physical Sciences › Mathematics › Statistics and Probability › Statistical Methods and Bayesian Inference
  • Physical Sciences › Mathematics › Statistics and Probability › Statistical Distribution Estimation and Applications
Keywords
RMSEA, model fit indices, structural equation modeling, noncentral chi-square distribution, baseline model

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