1.

Latent Variables
A latent variable is a variable that cannot be observed. The presence of latent variables, however,
can be detected by their effects on variables that are observable.

2. Construct
A construct is the abstract idea, underlying theme, or subject matter that one wishes to measure
using survey questions.

3. CFA
CFA is a statistical technique which helps analyze the relation of observed and unobserved
variables, which is initially constructed based on the inter relationship of different variables
supported by theoretical background.
The population covariance matrix of the model, which includes latent factors, is estimated with
the help of CFA. It helps compare the estimated/ hypothesized covariance matrix with the
observed population covariance matrix. The results of this comparison helps researchers analyze
how good the covariance matrix from estimated model fits the actual covariance matrix in the
original data.
It also tests theoretical inter-relation amongst the indicators and factor along with studying the
relation between factors. It also tests the validity and reliability of the latent variables
Measurement model is another name for the CFA model of unobserved and observed variables,
as it helps measure correlation between unobserved and observed variables along with measuring
the covariance between latent variables.

4. SEM
Structural equation modeling (SEM) is a set of statistical techniques used to measure and analyze
the relationships of observed and latent variables.

5. Cronbach alpha
Cronbach alpha is also used to check the reliability of the scale used to operationalize the
construct. The value of all constructs Cronbach alpha is greater than 0.7, it proves that reliability
holds.
 6. Purpose of testing the reliability and validity of the variables
Reliability and validity are concepts used to evaluate the quality of research. They indicate how
well a method, technique or test measures something. Reliability is about the consistency of a
measure, and validity is about the accuracy of a measure.

7. Positivist Approach

Positivists prefer quantitative methods such as social surveys, structured questionnaires and
official statistics because these have good reliability and representativeness.

8. Interpretivist approach

An Interpretivist approach to social research would be much more qualitative, using methods
such as unstructured interviews or participant observation.

9. Likert scale and semantic differential

A Likert scale will provide you with the participants’ agreement or disagreement with the asked
statements.

A Semantic Differential scale will provide you with information on where your participants’
view lies on a continuum between two contrasting adjectives.

10. Types of Likert scale?

Likert scales are most commonly 5-point or 7-point scales with a neutral middle-point, such as
‘neither agree nor disagree’ ‘neutral’ or ‘undecided’, but 4 or 6-point Likert scales which
eliminate a neutral option can be used when a researcher wants to force a respondent to provide a
clear opinion.
 11. Acronyms:

AMOS: Analysis of Moment Structures

SPSS: Statistical Package for the Social Sciences

CFA: Confirmatory Factor Analysis

SEM: Structural Equation Modeling

ANOVA: Analysis of Variance

12. One-way ANOVA

The one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) is used to determine whether there are any
statistically significant differences between the means of two or more independent (unrelated)
groups (although you tend to only see it used when there are a minimum of three, rather than two
groups).

Two-way ANOVA

The two-way ANOVA compares the mean differences between groups that have been split on
two independent variables (called factors). The primary purpose of a two-way ANOVA is to
understand if there is an interaction between the two independent variables on the dependent
variable.

13. Cutoff Points

Table 4.2.1: Model Fit Summary (Measurement Model)

Cutoff Value
(Hair et al., 2010; Singh, Model
Fit Index
Sharma, 2016 and Estimate
Byrne, 2013)
Chi square (χ2) p < 0.05 0.00
Normed Chi square (χ2/k) 1 < χ2/k < 3 1.772
Goodness of Fit Statistic (GFI) > 0.80 0.764
Adjusted GFI (AGFI) > 0.80 0.707
Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) 0 < TLI < 1 0.938
 Comparative fit index (CFI) > 0.95 0.964
Normal fit index (NFI) > 0.90 0.885
Root mean square error of approximation < 0.05 (Good Fit)
0.085
(RMSEA) < 0.09 (Acceptable Fit)

14. Regression Equation (SPSS)

Click Analyze > Regression > Linear... on the top menu

Transfer the independent variable, into the Independent(s): box and the dependent variable, into
the Dependent: box.
Select the single variable that you want the prediction based on by clicking on it is the left hand
pane of the Linear Regression dialog box.
Click in the box next to Descriptives to select it. Click on the Continue button. In the Linear
Regression dialog box, click on OK to perform the regression.
The Coefficients part of the output gives us the values that we need in order to write the
regression equation. The regression equation will take the form:

Predicted variable (dependent variable) = slope * independent variable + intercept

15. R-squared
R-Square is the proportion of variance in the dependent variable (science) which can be
predicted from the independent variables.
R-squared is a goodness-of-fit measure for linear regression models. This statistic indicates the
percentage of the variance in the dependent variable that the independent variables explain
collectively. R-squared measures the strength of the relationship between your model and the
dependent variable on a convenient 0 – 100% scale.