invariance.alignment: Alignment Procedure for Linking under Approximate Invariance

In sirt: Supplementary Item Response Theory Models

Alignment Procedure for Linking under Approximate Invariance

Description

The function invariance.alignment performs alignment under approximate invariance for G groups and I items (Asparouhov & Muthen, 2014; Byrne & van de Vijver, 2017; DeMars, 2020; Finch, 2016; Fischer & Karl, 2019; Flake & McCoach, 2018; Kim et al., 2017; Marsh et al., 2018; Muthen & Asparouhov, 2014, 2018; Pokropek, Davidov & Schmidt, 2019). It is assumed that item loadings and intercepts are previously estimated as a unidimensional factor model under the assumption of a factor with zero mean and a variance of one.

The function invariance_alignment_constraints postprocesses the output of the invariance.alignment function and estimates item parameters under equality constraints for prespecified absolute values of parameter tolerance.

The function invariance_alignment_simulate simulates a one-factor model for multiple groups for given matrices of \nu and \lambda parameters of item intercepts and item slopes (see Example 6).

The function invariance_alignment_cfa_config estimates one-factor models separately for each group as a preliminary step for invariance alignment (see Example 6). Sampling weights are accommodated by the argument weights. The computed variance matrix vcov by this function can be used to obtain standard errors in the invariance.alignment function if it is supplied as the argument vcov.

Usage

invariance.alignment(lambda, nu, wgt=NULL, align.scale=c(1, 1),
    align.pow=c(.5, .5), eps=1e-3, psi0.init=NULL, alpha0.init=NULL, center=FALSE,
    optimizer="optim", fixed=NULL, meth=1, vcov=NULL, ...)

## S3 method for class 'invariance.alignment'
summary(object, digits=3, file=NULL, ...)

invariance_alignment_constraints(model, lambda_parm_tol, nu_parm_tol )

## S3 method for class 'invariance_alignment_constraints'
summary(object, digits=3, file=NULL, ...)

invariance_alignment_simulate(nu, lambda, err_var, mu, sigma, N, output="data",
     groupwise=FALSE, exact=FALSE)

invariance_alignment_cfa_config(dat, group, weights=NULL, model="2PM", verbose=FALSE, ...)

Arguments

lambda	A G \times I matrix with item loadings
nu	A G \times I matrix with item intercepts
wgt	A G \times I matrix for weighing groups for each item
align.scale	A vector of length two containing scale parameter a_\lambda and a_\nu (see Details)
align.pow	A vector of length two containing power p_\lambda and p_\nu (see Details)
eps	A parameter in the optimization function
psi0.init	An optional vector of initial \psi_0 parameters
alpha0.init	An optional vector of initial \alpha_0 parameters
center	Logical indicating whether estimated means and standard deviations should be centered.
optimizer	Name of the optimizer chosen for alignment. Options are "optim" (using stats::optim) or "nlminb" (using stats::nlminb).
fixed	Logical indicating whether SD of first group should be fixed to one. If fixed=FALSE, the product of all SDs is set to one. If NULL, then fixed is automatically chosen by default. For many groups, fixed=FALSE is chosen.
meth	Type of method used for optimization function. meth=1 is the default and the optimization function used in Mplus. meth=2 uses logarithmized item loadings in alignment.
vcov	Variance matrix produced by invariance_alignment_cfa_config for standard error computation. If a matrix is provided, standard errors are computed.
object	Object of class invariance.alignment
digits	Number of digits used for rounding
file	Optional file name in which summary should be sunk
...	Further optional arguments to be passed
model	Model of class invariance.alignment. For invariance_alignment_cfa_config: Model type: "2PM" for two-parameter model with unequal loadings and "1PM" with equal loadings and equal residual variances
lambda_parm_tol	Parameter tolerance for \lambda parameters
nu_parm_tol	Parameter tolerance for \nu parameters
err_var	Error variance
mu	Vector of means
sigma	Vector of standard deviations
N	Vector of sample sizes per group
output	Specifies output type: "data" for dataset and "suffstat" for sufficient statistics (i.e., means and covariance matrices)
groupwise	Logical indicating whether group-wise output is requested
exact	Logical indicating whether distributions should be exactly preserved in simulated data
dat	Dataset with items or a list containing sufficient statistics
group	Vector containing group indicators
weights	Optional vector of sampling weights
verbose	Logical indicating whether progress should be printed

Details

For G groups and I items, item loadings \lambda_{ig0} and intercepts \nu_{ig0} are available and have been estimated in a 1-dimensional factor analysis assuming a standardized factor.

The alignment procedure searches means \alpha_{g0} and standard deviations \psi_{g0} using an alignment optimization function F. This function is defined as

F=\sum_i \sum_{ g_1 < g_2} w_{i,g1} w_{i,g2} f_\lambda( \lambda_{i g_1,1} - \lambda_{i g_2,1} ) + \sum_i \sum_{ g_1 < g_2} w_{i,g1} w_{i,g2} f_\nu( \nu_{i g_1,1} - \nu_{i g_2,1} )

where the aligned item parameters \lambda_{i g,1} and \nu_{i g,1} are defined such that

\lambda_{i g,1}=\lambda_{i g 0} / \psi_{g0} \qquad \mbox{and} \qquad \nu_{i g,1}=\nu_{i g 0} - \alpha_{g0} \lambda_{ig0} / \psi_{g0}

and the optimization functions are defined as

f_\lambda (x)=| x/ a_\lambda | ^{p_\lambda} \approx [ ( x/ a_\lambda )^2 + \varepsilon ]^{p_\lambda / 2} \qquad \mbox{and} \qquad f_\nu (x)=| x/ a_\nu ]^{p_\nu} \approx [ ( x/ a_\nu )^2 + \varepsilon ]^{p_\nu / 2}

using a small \varepsilon > 0 (e.g. .001) to obtain a differentiable optimization function. For p_\nu=0 or p_\lambda=0, the optimization function essentially counts the number of different parameter and mimicks a L_0 penalty which is zero iff the argument is zero and one otherwise. It is approximated by

f(x)=x^2 (x^2 + \varepsilon )^{-1}

(O'Neill & Burke, 2023).

For identification reasons, the product \Pi_g \psi_{g0} of all group standard deviations is set to one. The mean \alpha_{g0} of the first group is set to zero.

Note that Asparouhov and Muthen (2014) use a_\lambda=a_\nu=1 (which can be modified in align.scale) and p_\lambda=p_\nu=0.5 (which can be modified in align.pow). In case of p_\lambda=2, the penalty is approximately f_\lambda(x)=x^2 , in case of p_\lambda=0.5 it is approximately f_\lambda(x)=\sqrt{|x|} . Note that sirt used a different parametrization in versions up to 3.5. The p parameters have to be halved for consistency with previous versions (e.g., the Asparouhov & Muthen parametrization corresponds to p=.25; see also Fischer & Karl, 2019, for an application of the previous parametrization).

Effect sizes of approximate invariance based on R^2 have been proposed by Asparouhov and Muthen (2014). These are calculated separately for item loading and intercepts, resulting in R^2_\lambda and R^2_\nu measures which are included in the output es.invariance. In addition, the average correlation of aligned item parameters among groups (rbar) is reported.

Metric invariance means that all aligned item loadings \lambda_{ig,1} are equal across groups and therefore R^2_\lambda=1. Scalar invariance means that all aligned item loadings \lambda_{ig,1} and aligned item intercepts \nu_{ig,1} are equal across groups and therefore R^2_\lambda=1 and R^2_\nu=1 (see Vandenberg & Lance, 2000).

Value

A list with following entries

pars	Aligned distribution parameters
itempars.aligned	Aligned item parameters for all groups
es.invariance	Effect sizes of approximate invariance
lambda.aligned	Aligned \lambda_{i g,1} parameters
lambda.resid	Residuals of \lambda_{i g,1} parameters
nu.aligned	Aligned \nu_{i g,1} parameters
nu.resid	Residuals of \nu_{i g,1} parameters
Niter	Number of iterations for f_\lambda and f_\nu optimization functions
fopt	Minimum optimization value
align.scale	Used alignment scale parameters
align.pow	Used alignment power parameters
vcov	Estimated variance matrix of aligned means and standard deviations

References

Asparouhov, T., & Muthen, B. (2014). Multiple-group factor analysis alignment. Structural Equation Modeling, 21(4), 1-14. \Sexpr[results=rd]{tools:::Rd_expr_doi("10.1080/10705511.2014.919210")}

Byrne, B. M., & van de Vijver, F. J. R. (2017). The maximum likelihood alignment approach to testing for approximate measurement invariance: A paradigmatic cross-cultural application. Psicothema, 29(4), 539-551. \Sexpr[results=rd]{tools:::Rd_expr_doi("10.7334/psicothema2017.178")}

DeMars, C. E. (2020). Alignment as an alternative to anchor purification in DIF analyses. Structural Equation Modeling, 27(1), 56-72. \Sexpr[results=rd]{tools:::Rd_expr_doi("10.1080/10705511.2019.1617151")}

Finch, W. H. (2016). Detection of differential item functioning for more than two groups: A Monte Carlo comparison of methods. Applied Measurement in Education, 29,(1), 30-45, \Sexpr[results=rd]{tools:::Rd_expr_doi("10.1080/08957347.2015.1102916")}

Fischer, R., & Karl, J. A. (2019). A primer to (cross-cultural) multi-group invariance testing possibilities in R. Frontiers in Psychology | Cultural Psychology, 10:1507. \Sexpr[results=rd]{tools:::Rd_expr_doi("10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01507")}

Flake, J. K., & McCoach, D. B. (2018). An investigation of the alignment method with polytomous indicators under conditions of partial measurement invariance. Structural Equation Modeling, 25(1), 56-70. \Sexpr[results=rd]{tools:::Rd_expr_doi("10.1080/10705511.2017.1374187")}

Kim, E. S., Cao, C., Wang, Y., & Nguyen, D. T. (2017). Measurement invariance testing with many groups: A comparison of five approaches. Structural Equation Modeling, 24(4), 524-544. \Sexpr[results=rd]{tools:::Rd_expr_doi("10.1080/10705511.2017.1304822")}

Marsh, H. W., Guo, J., Parker, P. D., Nagengast, B., Asparouhov, T., Muthen, B., & Dicke, T. (2018). What to do when scalar invariance fails: The extended alignment method for multi-group factor analysis comparison of latent means across many groups. Psychological Methods, 23(3), 524-545. doi: 10.1037/met0000113

Muthen, B., & Asparouhov, T. (2014). IRT studies of many groups: The alignment method. Frontiers in Psychology | Quantitative Psychology and Measurement, 5:978. \Sexpr[results=rd]{tools:::Rd_expr_doi("10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00978")}

Muthen, B., & Asparouhov, T. (2018). Recent methods for the study of measurement invariance with many groups: Alignment and random effects. Sociological Methods & Research, 47(4), 637-664. \Sexpr[results=rd]{tools:::Rd_expr_doi("10.1177/0049124117701488")}

O'Neill, M., & Burke, K. (2023). Variable selection using a smooth information criterion for distributional regression models. Statistics and Computing, 33(3), 71. \Sexpr[results=rd]{tools:::Rd_expr_doi("10.1007/s11222-023-10204-8")}

Pokropek, A., Davidov, E., & Schmidt, P. (2019). A Monte Carlo simulation study to assess the appropriateness of traditional and newer approaches to test for measurement invariance. Structural Equation Modeling, 26(5), 724-744. \Sexpr[results=rd]{tools:::Rd_expr_doi("10.1080/10705511.2018.1561293")}

Vandenberg, R. J., & Lance, C. E. (2000). A review and synthesis of the measurement invariance literature: Suggestions, practices, and recommendations for organizational research. Organizational Research Methods, 3, 4-70. \Sexpr[results=rd]{tools:::Rd_expr_doi("10.1177/109442810031002")}s

See Also

For IRT linking see also linking.haberman or TAM::tam.linking.

For modeling random item effects for loadings and intercepts see mcmc.2pno.ml.

Examples

#############################################################################
# EXAMPLE 1: Item parameters cultural activities
#############################################################################

data(data.activity.itempars, package="sirt")
lambda <- data.activity.itempars$lambda
nu <- data.activity.itempars$nu
Ng <-  data.activity.itempars$N
wgt <- matrix( sqrt(Ng), length(Ng), ncol(nu) )

#***
# Model 1: Alignment using a quadratic loss function
mod1 <- sirt::invariance.alignment( lambda, nu, wgt, align.pow=c(2,2) )
summary(mod1)

#****
# Model 2: Different powers for alignment
mod2 <- sirt::invariance.alignment( lambda, nu, wgt,  align.pow=c(.5,1),
              align.scale=c(.95,.95))
summary(mod2)

# compare means from Models 1 and 2
plot( mod1$pars$alpha0, mod2$pars$alpha0, pch=16,
    xlab="M (Model 1)", ylab="M (Model 2)", xlim=c(-.3,.3), ylim=c(-.3,.3) )
lines( c(-1,1), c(-1,1), col="gray")
round( cbind( mod1$pars$alpha0, mod2$pars$alpha0 ), 3 )
round( mod1$nu.resid, 3)
round( mod2$nu.resid,3 )

# L0 penalty
mod2b <- sirt::invariance.alignment( lambda, nu, wgt,  align.pow=c(0,0),
              align.scale=c(.3,.3))
summary(mod2b)

#****
# Model 3: Low powers for alignment of scale and power
# Note that setting increment.factor larger than 1 seems necessary
mod3 <- sirt::invariance.alignment( lambda, nu, wgt, align.pow=c(.5,.75),
            align.scale=c(.55,.55), psi0.init=mod1$psi0, alpha0.init=mod1$alpha0 )
summary(mod3)

# compare mean and SD estimates of Models 1 and 3
plot( mod1$pars$alpha0, mod3$pars$alpha0, pch=16)
plot( mod1$pars$psi0, mod3$pars$psi0, pch=16)

# compare residuals for Models 1 and 3
# plot lambda
plot( abs(as.vector(mod1$lambda.resid)), abs(as.vector(mod3$lambda.resid)),
      pch=16, xlab="Residuals lambda (Model 1)",
      ylab="Residuals lambda (Model 3)", xlim=c(0,.1), ylim=c(0,.1))
lines( c(-3,3),c(-3,3), col="gray")
# plot nu
plot( abs(as.vector(mod1$nu.resid)), abs(as.vector(mod3$nu.resid)),
      pch=16, xlab="Residuals nu (Model 1)", ylab="Residuals nu (Model 3)",
      xlim=c(0,.4),ylim=c(0,.4))
lines( c(-3,3),c(-3,3), col="gray")

## Not run: 
#############################################################################
# EXAMPLE 2: Comparison 4 groups | data.inv4gr
#############################################################################

data(data.inv4gr)
dat <- data.inv4gr
miceadds::library_install("semTools")

model1 <- "
    F=~ I01 + I02 + I03 + I04 + I05 + I06 + I07 + I08 + I09 + I10 + I11
    F ~~ 1*F
    "

res <- semTools::measurementInvariance(model1, std.lv=TRUE, data=dat, group="group")
  ##   Measurement invariance tests:
  ##
  ##   Model 1: configural invariance:
  ##       chisq        df    pvalue       cfi     rmsea       bic
  ##     162.084   176.000     0.766     1.000     0.000 95428.025
  ##
  ##   Model 2: weak invariance (equal loadings):
  ##       chisq        df    pvalue       cfi     rmsea       bic
  ##     519.598   209.000     0.000     0.973     0.039 95511.835
  ##
  ##   [Model 1 versus model 2]
  ##     delta.chisq      delta.df delta.p.value     delta.cfi
  ##         357.514        33.000         0.000         0.027
  ##
  ##   Model 3: strong invariance (equal loadings + intercepts):
  ##       chisq        df    pvalue       cfi     rmsea       bic
  ##    2197.260   239.000     0.000     0.828     0.091 96940.676
  ##
  ##   [Model 1 versus model 3]
  ##     delta.chisq      delta.df delta.p.value     delta.cfi
  ##        2035.176        63.000         0.000         0.172
  ##
  ##   [Model 2 versus model 3]
  ##     delta.chisq      delta.df delta.p.value     delta.cfi
  ##        1677.662        30.000         0.000         0.144
  ##

# extract item parameters separate group analyses
ipars <- lavaan::parameterEstimates(res$fit.configural)
# extract lambda's: groups are in rows, items in columns
lambda <- matrix( ipars[ ipars$op=="=~", "est"], nrow=4,  byrow=TRUE)
colnames(lambda) <- colnames(dat)[-1]
# extract nu's
nu <- matrix( ipars[ ipars$op=="~1"  & ipars$se !=0, "est" ], nrow=4,  byrow=TRUE)
colnames(nu) <- colnames(dat)[-1]

# Model 1: least squares optimization
mod1 <- sirt::invariance.alignment( lambda=lambda, nu=nu )
summary(mod1)
  ##   Effect Sizes of Approximate Invariance
  ##          loadings intercepts
  ##   R2       0.9826     0.9972
  ##   sqrtU2   0.1319     0.0526
  ##   rbar     0.6237     0.7821
  ##   -----------------------------------------------------------------
  ##   Group Means and Standard Deviations
  ##     alpha0  psi0
  ##   1  0.000 0.965
  ##   2 -0.105 1.098
  ##   3 -0.081 1.011
  ##   4  0.171 0.935

# Model 2: sparse target function
mod2 <- sirt::invariance.alignment( lambda=lambda, nu=nu, align.pow=c(.5,.5) )
summary(mod2)
  ##   Effect Sizes of Approximate Invariance
  ##          loadings intercepts
  ##   R2       0.9824     0.9972
  ##   sqrtU2   0.1327     0.0529
  ##   rbar     0.6237     0.7856
  ##   -----------------------------------------------------------------
  ##   Group Means and Standard Deviations
  ##     alpha0  psi0
  ##   1 -0.002 0.965
  ##   2 -0.107 1.098
  ##   3 -0.083 1.011
  ##   4  0.170 0.935

#############################################################################
# EXAMPLE 3: European Social Survey data.ess2005
#############################################################################

data(data.ess2005)
lambda <- data.ess2005$lambda
nu <- data.ess2005$nu

# Model 1: least squares optimization
mod1 <- sirt::invariance.alignment( lambda=lambda, nu=nu, align.pow=c(2,2) )
summary(mod1)

# Model 2: sparse target function and definition of scales
mod2 <- sirt::invariance.alignment( lambda=lambda, nu=nu, control=list(trace=2) )
summary(mod2)

#############################################################################
# EXAMPLE 4: Linking with item parameters containing outliers
#############################################################################

# see Help file in linking.robust

# simulate some item difficulties in the Rasch model
I <- 38
set.seed(18785)
itempars <- data.frame("item"=paste0("I",1:I) )
itempars$study1 <- stats::rnorm( I, mean=.3, sd=1.4 )
# simulate DIF effects plus some outliers
bdif <- stats::rnorm(I, mean=.4, sd=.09) +
             (stats::runif(I)>.9 )*rep( 1*c(-1,1)+.4, each=I/2 )
itempars$study2 <- itempars$study1 + bdif
# create input for function invariance.alignment
nu <- t( itempars[,2:3] )
colnames(nu) <- itempars$item
lambda <- 1+0*nu

# linking using least squares optimization
mod1 <- sirt::invariance.alignment( lambda=lambda, nu=nu )
summary(mod1)
  ##   Group Means and Standard Deviations
  ##          alpha0 psi0
  ##   study1 -0.286    1
  ##   study2  0.286    1

# linking using powers of .5
mod2 <- sirt::invariance.alignment( lambda=lambda, nu=nu, align.pow=c(1,1) )
summary(mod2)
  ##   Group Means and Standard Deviations
  ##          alpha0 psi0
  ##   study1 -0.213    1
  ##   study2  0.213    1

# linking using powers of .25
mod3 <- sirt::invariance.alignment( lambda=lambda, nu=nu, align.pow=c(.5,.5) )
summary(mod3)
  ##   Group Means and Standard Deviations
  ##          alpha0 psi0
  ##   study1 -0.207    1
  ##   study2  0.207    1

#############################################################################
# EXAMPLE 5: Linking gender groups with data.math
#############################################################################

data(data.math)
dat <- data.math$data
dat.male <- dat[ dat$female==0, substring( colnames(dat),1,1)=="M"  ]
dat.female <- dat[ dat$female==1, substring( colnames(dat),1,1)=="M"  ]

#*************************
# Model 1: Linking using the Rasch model
mod1m <- sirt::rasch.mml2( dat.male )
mod1f <- sirt::rasch.mml2( dat.female )

# create objects for invariance.alignment
nu <- rbind( mod1m$item$thresh, mod1f$item$thresh )
colnames(nu) <- mod1m$item$item
rownames(nu) <- c("male", "female")
lambda <- 1+0*nu

# mean of item difficulties
round( rowMeans(nu), 3 )

# Linking using least squares optimization
res1a <- sirt::invariance.alignment( lambda, nu, align.scale=c( .3, .5 ) )
summary(res1a)

# Linking using optimization with absolute value function (pow=.5)
res1b <- sirt::invariance.alignment( lambda, nu, align.scale=c( .3, .5 ),
                align.pow=c(1,1) )
summary(res1b)

#-- compare results with Haberman linking
I <- ncol(dat.male)
itempartable <- data.frame( "study"=rep( c("male", "female"), each=I ) )
itempartable$item <- c( paste0(mod1m$item$item),  paste0(mod1f$item$item) )
itempartable$a <- 1
itempartable$b <- c( mod1m$item$b, mod1f$item$b )
# estimate linking parameters
res1c <- sirt::linking.haberman( itempars=itempartable )

#-- results of sirt::equating.rasch
x <- itempartable[ 1:I, c("item", "b") ]
y <- itempartable[ I + 1:I, c("item", "b") ]
res1d <- sirt::equating.rasch( x, y )
round( res1d$B.est, 3 )
  ##     Mean.Mean Haebara Stocking.Lord
  ##   1     0.032   0.032         0.029

#*************************
# Model 2: Linking using the 2PL model
I <- ncol(dat.male)
mod2m <- sirt::rasch.mml2( dat.male, est.a=1:I)
mod2f <- sirt::rasch.mml2( dat.female, est.a=1:I)

# create objects for invariance.alignment
nu <- rbind( mod2m$item$thresh, mod2f$item$thresh )
colnames(nu) <- mod2m$item$item
rownames(nu) <- c("male", "female")
lambda <- rbind( mod2m$item$a, mod2f$item$a )
colnames(lambda) <- mod2m$item$item
rownames(lambda) <- c("male", "female")

res2a <- sirt::invariance.alignment( lambda, nu, align.scale=c( .3, .5 ) )
summary(res2a)

res2b <- sirt::invariance.alignment( lambda, nu, align.scale=c( .3, .5 ),
                align.pow=c(1,1) )
summary(res2b)

# compare results with Haberman linking
I <- ncol(dat.male)
itempartable <- data.frame( "study"=rep( c("male", "female"), each=I ) )
itempartable$item <- c( paste0(mod2m$item$item),  paste0(mod2f$item$item ) )
itempartable$a <- c( mod2m$item$a, mod2f$item$a )
itempartable$b <- c( mod2m$item$b, mod2f$item$b )
# estimate linking parameters
res2c <- sirt::linking.haberman( itempars=itempartable )

#############################################################################
# EXAMPLE 6: Data from Asparouhov & Muthen (2014) simulation study
#############################################################################

G <- 3  # number of groups
I <- 5  # number of items
# define lambda and nu parameters
lambda <- matrix(1, nrow=G, ncol=I)
nu <- matrix(0, nrow=G, ncol=I)

# define size of noninvariance
dif <- 1

#- 1st group: N(0,1)
lambda[1,3] <- 1+dif*.4; nu[1,5] <- dif*.5

#- 2nd group: N(0.3,1.5)
gg <- 2 ; mu <- .3; sigma <- sqrt(1.5)
lambda[gg,5] <- 1-.5*dif; nu[gg,1] <- -.5*dif
nu[gg,] <- nu[gg,] + mu*lambda[gg,]
lambda[gg,] <- lambda[gg,] * sigma

#- 3nd group: N(.8,1.2)
gg <- 3 ; mu <- .8; sigma <- sqrt(1.2)
lambda[gg,4] <- 1-.7*dif; nu[gg,2] <- -.5*dif
nu[gg,] <- nu[gg,] + mu*lambda[gg,]
lambda[gg,] <- lambda[gg,] * sigma

# define alignment scale
align.scale <- c(.2,.4)   # Asparouhov and Muthen use c(1,1)
# define alignment powers
align.pow <- c(.5,.5)   # as in Asparouhov and Muthen

#*** estimate alignment parameters
mod1 <- sirt::invariance.alignment( lambda, nu, eps=.01, optimizer="optim",
            align.scale=align.scale, align.pow=align.pow, center=FALSE )
summary(mod1)

#--- find parameter constraints for prespecified tolerance
cmod1 <- sirt::invariance_alignment_constraints(model=mod1, nu_parm_tol=.4,
            lambda_parm_tol=.2 )
summary(cmod1)

#############################################################################
# EXAMPLE 7: Similar to Example 6, but with data simulation and CFA estimation
#############################################################################

#--- data simulation

set.seed(65)
G <- 3  # number of groups
I <- 5  # number of items
# define lambda and nu parameters
lambda <- matrix(1, nrow=G, ncol=I)
nu <- matrix(0, nrow=G, ncol=I)
err_var <- matrix(1, nrow=G, ncol=I)

# define size of noninvariance
dif <- 1
#- 1st group: N(0,1)
lambda[1,3] <- 1+dif*.4; nu[1,5] <- dif*.5
#- 2nd group: N(0.3,1.5)
gg <- 2 ;
lambda[gg,5] <- 1-.5*dif; nu[gg,1] <- -.5*dif
#- 3nd group: N(.8,1.2)
gg <- 3
lambda[gg,4] <- 1-.7*dif; nu[gg,2] <- -.5*dif
#- define distributions of groups
mu <- c(0,.3,.8)
sigma <- sqrt(c(1,1.5,1.2))
N <- rep(1000,3) # sample sizes per group

#* simulate data
dat <- sirt::invariance_alignment_simulate(nu, lambda, err_var, mu, sigma, N)
head(dat)

#--- estimate CFA models
pars <- sirt::invariance_alignment_cfa_config(dat[,-1], group=dat$group)
print(pars)

#--- invariance alignment
# define alignment scale
align.scale <- c(.2,.4)
# define alignment powers
align.pow <- c(.5,.5)
mod1 <- sirt::invariance.alignment( lambda=pars$lambda, nu=pars$nu, eps=.01,
            optimizer="optim", align.scale=align.scale, align.pow=align.pow, center=FALSE)
#* find parameter constraints for prespecified tolerance
cmod1 <- sirt::invariance_alignment_constraints(model=mod1, nu_parm_tol=.4,
            lambda_parm_tol=.2 )
summary(cmod1)

#--- estimate CFA models with sampling weights

#* simulate weights
weights <- stats::runif(sum(N), 0, 2)
#* estimate models
pars2 <- sirt::invariance_alignment_cfa_config(dat[,-1], group=dat$group, weights=weights)
print(pars2$nu)
print(pars$nu)

#--- estimate one-parameter model
pars <- sirt::invariance_alignment_cfa_config(dat[,-1], group=dat$group, model="1PM")
print(pars)

#############################################################################
# EXAMPLE 8: Computation of standard errors
#############################################################################

G <- 3  # number of groups
I <- 5  # number of items
# define lambda and nu parameters
lambda <- matrix(1, nrow=G, ncol=I)
nu <- matrix(0, nrow=G, ncol=I)

# define size of noninvariance
dif <- 1

mu1 <- c(0,.3,.8)
sigma1 <- c(1,1.25,1.1)

#- 1st group
lambda[1,3] <- 1+dif*.4; nu[1,5] <- dif*.5

#- 2nd group
gg <- 2
lambda[gg,5] <- 1-.5*dif; nu[gg,1] <- -.5*dif

#- 3nd group
gg <- 3
lambda[gg,4] <- 1-.7*dif; nu[gg,2] <- -.5*dif

dat <- sirt::invariance_alignment_simulate(nu=nu, lambda=lambda, err_var=1+0*lambda,
                mu=mu1, sigma=sigma1, N=500, output="data", exact=TRUE)

#* estimate CFA
res <- sirt::invariance_alignment_cfa_config(dat=dat[,-1], group=dat$group )

#- perform invariance alignment
eps <- .001
align.pow <- 0.5*rep(1,2)
lambda <- res$lambda
nu <- res$nu
mod1 <- sirt::invariance.alignment( lambda=lambda, nu=nu, eps=eps, optimizer="optim",
             align.pow=align.pow, meth=meth, vcov=res$vcov)
# variance matrix and standard errors
mod1$vcov
sqrt(diag(mod1$vcov))

## End(Not run)

sirt documentation built on Aug. 11, 2023, 5:07 p.m.