Core reporting practices in structural equation modeling

BackgroundStructural equation modeling (SEM) is a popular analysis technique because of the wide range of questions that it can help answer. There are several pieces of information specific to SEM that should be reported when this technique is used.ObjectivesTo demonstrate a basic framework for reporting SEM analyses, to provide definitions of key terms readers will encounter, and to illustrate 2 examples for reporting SEM results.MethodsData from 650 participants who completed 3 self-report surveys were used to test a confirmatory factor analysis and a structural model as examples of information to be reported.ResultsThe results displayed are requisite information for any SEM analysis.ConclusionsIt is important for investigators to provide this information so that readers can properly evaluate the results and conclusions based on the analyses.