ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the final phase of the Stage 2 framework construction to confirm whether the elements forming the particular case framework extended to the general case framework. It details the processes undertaken in completing tasks 4, 5 and 6 of the Stage 2 measurement strategies, and the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) outcomes. Maximum likelihood estimation (ML) procedures were undertaken to clarify factor composition, classify the scales and map the factors to elements within the framework. Testing and confirming the scales involved the following tasks:
Task 4: Confirming a specified factor pattern and item placement in the formation and interpretation of scales, using CFA in the STREAMS (Structural equation modelling made simple, version 2.51.0) interface environment (Gustafsson and Stahl, 2000) and employing the structural equation modelling (SEM) programs: AMOS (Analysis of Moment Structures, Arbuckle, 1999), LISREL (LInear Structural RELations, Jöreskög and Sőrbom, 1996) and Mplus (Muthén and Muthén, 1998).
Task 5: Confirming the SRQ's suitability to tap cognitive and non-cognitive elements in different data sets using the multigroup modelling technique in AMOS graphics version 4.01 (Arbuckle, 1999).
Task 6: Mapping the cognitive and non-cognitive factors identified and validated through an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the elements within the conceptual framework for the particular case.
