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The importance of measurement invariance for research in sociology

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Vol. 37 No. 1 (2022): Dossier: Fighting the black legend about quantitative sociology
https://doi.org/10.5354/0719-529X.2022.68153

Abstract

The comparison of latent variables presents considerable challenges in terms of their equivalence. Using data from ICCS 2016, in which 24 countries participated, we assess the measurement adequacy of the concept of attitudes towards equal rights by contrasting a one-dimensional model (available in the original documentation) with a two-dimensional model. In addition, we evaluate the levels of comparability of the measurements using multigroup confirmatory factor analysis. Results show that the two-dimensional model achieves substantial improvements. Additionally, evaluation of the invariance of the two-dimensional model shows adequate levels of comparability (metric and scalar invariance). This means that the instrument specified in its two dimensions permits a similar understanding by the participants in the various countries included in the sample. As such, it would be possible to compare both the levels of each dimension and the relationship of these dimensions with other variables.

Keywords:

invariance, confirmatory factor analysis, attitudes towards equal rights

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How to Cite
Miranda, D., & Iturra, J. (2022). The importance of measurement invariance for research in sociology. Revista De Sociología, 37(1). https://doi.org/10.5354/0719-529X.2022.68153
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Revista de Sociología
Facultad de Ciencias Sociales
Universidad de Chile
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