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A Multitrait-Multimethod Model with Minimal Assumptions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2025

Michael Eid
Michael Eid*
Affiliation:
University of Trier
*
Requests for reprints should be sent to Michael Eid, Fachbereich I - Psychologie, Universitaet Trier, D-54286 Trier, Germany. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

A new model of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) data sets is presented. It is shown that this model can be defined by only three assumptions in the framework of classical psychometric test theory (CTT). All other properties of the model, particularly the uncorrelatedness of the trait with the method factors are logical consequences of the definition of the model. In the model proposed there are as many trait factors as different traits considered, but the number of method factors is one fewer than the number of methods included in an MTMM study. The covariance structure implied by this model is derived, and it is shown that this model is identified even under conditions under which other CFA-MTMM models are not. The model is illustrated by two empirical applications. Furthermore, its advantages and limitations are discussed with respect to previously developed CFA models for MTMM data.

Keywords

multitrait-multimethod modelsconstruct validityclassical test theorystructural equation modeling
Type
Original Paper
Information
Psychometrika , Volume 65 , Issue 2 , June 2000 , pp. 241 - 261
Copyright
Copyright © 2000 The Psychometric Society

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