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Outliers and Improper Solutions

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  • KENNETH A. BOLLEN

    (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

Abstract

A common occurrence in structural equation models are “improper solutions.†Estimates of negative variances of measurement errors, negative variances of equation errors, or correlations between latent variables that are greater than one are instances of improper solutions. Recent work has begun to examine the causes and cures for these problems but the role of outliers in generating improper solutions has been overlooked. The purposes of this article are threefold: (1) to explain how outliers can lead to improper solutions, (2) to use a confirmatory factor analysis example to demonstrate this, and (3) to encourage researchers to check for this possibility.

Suggested Citation

  • Kenneth A. Bollen, 1987. "Outliers and Improper Solutions," Sociological Methods & Research, , vol. 15(4), pages 375-384, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:somere:v:15:y:1987:i:4:p:375-384
    DOI: 10.1177/0049124187015004002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Rindskopf, 1983. "Parameterizing inequality constraints on unique variances in linear structural models," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 48(1), pages 73-83, March.
    2. Otto Driel, 1978. "On various causes of improper solutions in maximum likelihood factor analysis," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 43(2), pages 225-243, June.
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