STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELLING ANALYTICAL APPROACH: MODEL FIT, RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY

¹Abdullahi Yusuf Waziri, ²Mustapha Yakubu & ³Muhammad Sa’adiya Ilyasu

¹Department of Quantity Surveying, Faculty of Environmental Technology, ATBU, Bauchi.

²Department of Quantity Surveying, Faculty of Environmental Technology, ATBU, Bauchi

³Department of Architecture, Faculty of Environmental Technology, ATBU, Bauchi

E-mail: aywaziri@gmail.com, citihills@gmail.com, sandyilyas@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

There are widespread empirical studies that employ structural equation modelling statistical technique for simultaneously testing and estimating causal relationships among multiple independent and dependent factors in social science research. While this methodological technique offers tremendous advantages over the traditional methodologies (multiple regression, factor analysis, ANOVA and MANOVA), it is often seen as complicated and difficult to understand. Thus, this paper intends to resolve some potential uncertainties that researchers seeking to use SEM might face. Consequently, the authors provide the general principles and criteria for determining model fit and assessment of reliability and validity of constructs. This paper serves as a useful guide for inexperienced researchers employing SEM for the first time and also as a reference material for researchers with a better understanding of the methodology.