4.2.5 Purifying the measurement model (CFA)
A two step process of SEM was used for analysis, in which the measurement
model was first estimated and then in the second stage the measurement model was
“fixed” when the structural model was estimated (Anderson and Gerbing 1988, James,
Muliak, and Brett 1982, Novak et al. 2000, Schumacker and Lomax 2004).
First, the measurement model was estimated using confirmatory factor analysis
(CFA). The model was then purified by eliminating measured variables and latent factors
that do not fit well by an initial CFA model. Second, the structural model was evaluated
by testing the hypotheses. Drawing on knowledge of the theory, empirical research, or
both, the researcher hypothesizes the linkage pattern a priori and then tests that
hypothesis statistically.