TY - JOUR
T1 - A model selection approach to structural equation modelling
T2 - A critical evaluation and a road map for ecologists
AU - Garrido, Mario
AU - Hansen, Scott K.
AU - Yaari, Rami
AU - Hawlena, Hadas
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 British Ecological Society
PY - 2022/1/1
Y1 - 2022/1/1
N2 - Structural equation modelling (SEM) can illuminate complex interaction networks of the sort found in ecology. However, selecting optimally complex, data-supported SEM models and quantifying their uncertainty are difficult processes. To this end, we recommend a formal model selection approach (MSA) that uses information criteria. Using a suite of numerical simulations, we compare MSA-SEM against two traditional methods. We find that MSA-SEM exhibits superior, unbiased results under the suboptimal realistic conditions characteristic of ecological studies. We then provide a road map for MSA-SEM and demonstrate its use via a case study. We illustrate the unique abilities of SEM to confirm a network structure within the realm of known causal pathways and delineate the boundaries within which MSA-SEM should be applied.
AB - Structural equation modelling (SEM) can illuminate complex interaction networks of the sort found in ecology. However, selecting optimally complex, data-supported SEM models and quantifying their uncertainty are difficult processes. To this end, we recommend a formal model selection approach (MSA) that uses information criteria. Using a suite of numerical simulations, we compare MSA-SEM against two traditional methods. We find that MSA-SEM exhibits superior, unbiased results under the suboptimal realistic conditions characteristic of ecological studies. We then provide a road map for MSA-SEM and demonstrate its use via a case study. We illustrate the unique abilities of SEM to confirm a network structure within the realm of known causal pathways and delineate the boundaries within which MSA-SEM should be applied.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85118505561&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/2041-210X.13742
DO - 10.1111/2041-210X.13742
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85118505561
SN - 2041-210X
VL - 13
SP - 42
EP - 53
JO - Methods in Ecology and Evolution
JF - Methods in Ecology and Evolution
IS - 1
ER -