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What can we learn from the path equations?: Identifiability, constraints, equivalence

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Abstract

Procedures are given for determining identified parameters, finding constraints on the covariances, and checking equivalence, in acyclic (recursive) linear path models with correlated error terms (disturbances), by inspection of the path equations, aided by simple recursions. This provides a useful and general alternative to the employment of directed acyclic graph theory for such purposes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Illinois, 603 E. Daniel St., 61820, Champaign, IL

    Roderick P. McDonald

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  1. Roderick P. McDonald
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Correspondence to Roderick P. McDonald.

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Thanks are due to Judea Pearl for his guidance through all phases of this work, and to Larry Hubert for his careful reading of the manuscript. Any errors that remain are solely the responsibility of the author.

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McDonald, R.P. What can we learn from the path equations?: Identifiability, constraints, equivalence. Psychometrika 67, 225–249 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02294844

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02294844

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