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Citation

Bainter, Sierra A. & Bollen, Kenneth A. (2014). Interpretational Confounding or Confounded Interpretations of Causal Indicators?. Measurement: Interdisciplinary Research and Perspectives, 12(4), 125-140. PMCID: PMC4267575

Abstract

In measurement theory causal indicators are controversial and little-understood. Methodological disagreement concerning causal indicators has centered on the question of whether causal indicators are inherently sensitive to interpretational confounding, which occurs when the empirical meaning of a latent construct departs from the meaning intended by a researcher. This article questions the validity of evidence used to claim that causal indicators are inherently susceptible to interpretational confounding. Further, a simulation study demonstrates that causal indicator coefficients are stable across correctly-specified models. Determining the suitability of causal indicators has implications for the way we conceptualize measurement and build and evaluate measurement models.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15366367.2014.968503

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

2014

Journal Title

Measurement: Interdisciplinary Research and Perspectives

Author(s)

Bainter, Sierra A.
Bollen, Kenneth A.

PMCID

PMC4267575

ORCiD

Bollen - 0000-0002-6710-3800