NAME: Nikko P.

Emping PROGRAM AND YEAR: BSA – 3

OFFER CODE & SCHEDULE: 6497 TTH (10:30 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.)

Instructions: After having a broader understanding about Structural Equation

Modeling, revise your original critique paper by adding new knowledge about
what you have learned.

“Structural equation modelling of COVID-19 knowledge and attitude as

determinants of preventive practices among university students in Ghana”

CRITIQUE:

After taking multiple sessions about further understanding SEM, the

research article that I have chosen in the past has started to make a lot more
sense now due to how useful the model is when gathering accurate and
reliable data. By reading the research article again I gained a better
understanding of the relationship between respondents' (university students')
attitude regarding COVID-19 and how well safety protocols are implemented
with regards to where they live. It's clear that the biggest issue facing the globe
right now is the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19). China's Wuhan is where
COVID-19 first started to spread, and at this point, it has spread to practically
every nation on the planet. Those infected with COVID-19 experience symptoms
such as fever, myalgia, shortness of breath, dry cough, and exhaustion. In the
advanced stages, the illness is marked by septic shock, respiratory distress
syndrome, hemorrhage, and coagulation problems. After the virus was declared
a pandemic on March 11, 2020, and a public health emergency of worldwide
concern on January 30, 2020, respectively, its effects have posed a
psychological threat to everyday human activities. Because of the widespread
effects of the pandemic, this study uses structural equation modeling (SEM)
approaches to investigate whether students' behaviors for preventing COVID-19
infection are influenced by their knowledge and attitudes. The study's
conceptual model demonstrates the significance of knowledge and attitude in
predicting practices. The focus group for this study consisted of Ghanaian
university students, and the data used were collected through a questionnaire
survey in order to gain the information required to effectively employ Structural
Equation Modeling

Because structural equation modeling is a popular multivariate technique for

examining the direct and indirect effects of correlations between observable and
latent variables, it is highly helpful in this kind of situation. An observed variable in
structural equation modeling (SEM) is a variable that has been measured explicitly
and adds to the latent variable's makeup. Latent variables, on the other hand, are
unobserved variables that are impossible to quantify precisely. Through the use of a
path model or analysis to explain the effects originating from both observable and
latent factors, the theory of SEM simplifies complex interactions between variables.
The method makes it evident how cause-and-effect factors relate to one another.
The SEM seeks to evaluate the link between latent variables and the various ways in
which they influence each other by generalizing a confirmatory factor analysis
(CFA) model.

Through the use of SEM, this study was able to demonstrate how strongly
the majority of students felt that learning about the number of COVID-19 cases
that have been reported, as well as information about COVID-19 preventive
efforts, were extremely relevant to their daily lives in their respective communities
and would encourage a stronger adherence to the safety measures in place.
This study provides insight into the importance of the correlations between the
two variables, enabling us to choose the best course of action when addressing
a particular issue. For instance, given the positive correlation found between
attitude toward the condition and awareness of COVID-19. This suggests that if
kids gain knowledge about the illness and have a solid comprehension of their
surroundings, their attitudes may improve. Since this kind of relationship is
reciprocal, having knowledge about the illness might help someone feel better
about it. From the standpoint of the average reader of this article, it is easy to
conclude that by using SEM to better understand COVID-19, teaching the public
and students about the importance of following safety precautions at all times
may help to reduce the risk of infection and spread. Such instruction can also
aid in dispelling popular misconceptions about the illness.