1. Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling
Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) is a powerful statistical technique that integrates path analysis, factor analysis, and regression into a unified framework for testing complex relationships among variables. It allows researchers to confirm hypothesized relationships and evaluate direct and indirect effects, while explicitly addressing measurement error to enhance accuracy. SEM is crucial for modeling complex systems involving mediation, moderation, and latent variables across various disciplines like social sciences and psychology.