Cited by 16,280Psychometric Methodologies and TestingStatistical Methods and Bayesian InferenceEducational Assessment and Pedagogy

Evaluating Goodness-of-Fit Indexes for Testing Measurement Invariance

Cheung, Gordon W., Rensvold, Roger B.·2002·Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal

Abstract

Measurement invariance is usually tested using Multigroup Confirmatory Factor Analysis, which examines the change in the goodness-of-fit index (GFI) when cross-group constraints are imposed on a measurement model. Although many studies have examined the properties of GFI as indicators of overall model fit for single-group data, there have been none to date that examine how GFIs change when between-group constraints are added to a measurement model. The lack of a consensus about what constitutes significant GFI differences places limits on measurement invariance testing. We examine 20 GFIs based on the minimum fit function. A simulation under the two-group situation was used to examine changes in the GFIs (ΔGFIs) when invariance constraints were added. Based on the results, we recommend using Δcomparative fit index, ΔGamma hat, and ΔMcDonald's Noncentrality Index to evaluate measurement invariance. These three ΔGFIs are independent of both model complexity and sample size, and are not correlated with the overall fit measures. We propose critical values of these ΔGFIs that indicate measurement invariance.

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Crossref · 10.1207/s15328007sem0902_5

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Authors
Cheung, G. W., & Rensvold, R. B.
Affiliations
  • Chinese University of Hong Kong (HK)
  • City University of Hong Kong (HK)
Venue
Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal
Published
2002-04
Volume
9
Issue
2
Pages
233-255
ISSN
  • 1070-5511 (ISSN-L)
  • 1532-8007
OpenAlex
W2089871805
Cited by
16,280
References
59
Citations by year
2026: 1791 · 2025: 1391 · 2024: 1235 · 2023: 1334 · 2022: 1220 · 2021: 1260 · 2020: 1112 · 2019: 1016 · 2018: 935 · 2017: 829 · 2016: 756 · 2015: 695 · 2014: 595 · 2013: 522 · 2012: 396
FWCI
42.78
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Structural Equation Modeling A Multidisciplinary Journal (publishedVersion)
Funders
University Grants Committee
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
  • Social Sciences › Education › Educational Assessment and Pedagogy
Keywords
measurement invariance, goodness of fit index, multi-group confirmatory factor analysis, comparative fit index, critical values, simulation study

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