Issues in the Structural Equation Modeling of Complex Survey Data

Structural equation models are routinely applied to data collected from complex samples. Analyses of methods to take into account the sample design and sample weights are discussed in a growing literature on the topic. This paper provides a review of the literature on the analysis of complex samples using structural equation models. The goal of the paper is to extract the points of agreement and disagreement from these publications; to assess and evaluate those areas of consensus; and to propose the research areas most in need of further research. In addition, the paper will briefly compare the capability of SEM software and their ability to take account of complex sample designs and weights.

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