Quantitative Methods Questions
Structural equation modeling (SEM) is a statistical technique used to analyze complex relationships between observed and latent variables. It is a multivariate analysis method that combines factor analysis and regression analysis to examine the causal relationships among variables. SEM allows researchers to test and refine theoretical models by estimating the strength and direction of relationships between variables, as well as assessing the overall fit of the model to the data. It is commonly used in social sciences, including political science, to study complex phenomena and understand the underlying mechanisms that drive them.