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The Vital Role of Measurement Equivalence in Family Research
Author(s) -
Dyer W. Justin
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of family theory and review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.454
H-Index - 17
eISSN - 1756-2589
pISSN - 1756-2570
DOI - 10.1111/jftr.12115
Subject(s) - equivalence (formal languages) , construct (python library) , logical equivalence , psychology , construct validity , mathematics , scale (ratio) , social psychology , developmental psychology , computer science , psychometrics , pure mathematics , physics , programming language , quantum mechanics
The construct is the most basic aspect of a theoretical model. Whether a construct is equivalent across groups or time is a vital consideration when testing theory. However, examining construct equivalence is often not well understood either conceptually or statistically. This article provides a conceptual and statistical overview of construct equivalence as well as a rationale for its increased use. An example of testing for equivalence is also provided. Three hundred 12‐year‐olds rated their mother and father on a scale of parental engagement. It was examined whether this scale demonstrated equivalence for both mothers and fathers. Equivalence tests found that strong equivalence was not met, and therefore mean comparisons are not justified. Theoretical and practical implications of measurement equivalence are discussed.