Model Specification Searches in Structural Equation Modeling Using Bee Swarm Optimization.

Metaheuristics are optimization algorithms that efficiently solve a variety of complex combinatorial problems. In psychological research, metaheuristics have been applied in short-scale construction and model specification search. In the present study, we propose a bee swarm optimization (BSO) algor...

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Publicado en:Educational & Psychological Measurement Vol. 84; no. 1; pp. 40 - 62
Autores principales: Schroeders, Ulrich, Scharf, Florian, Olaru, Gabriel
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Sage Publications Inc. Feb2024
Materias:
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Feb2024
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        10.1177/00131644231160552
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        atl: Model Specification Searches in Structural Equation Modeling Using Bee Swarm Optimization.
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          Schroeders, Ulrich
          Scharf, Florian
          Olaru, Gabriel
        affil:
          University of Kassel, Germany
          Tilburg University, Netherlands
      su:
        Problem solving
        Psychological tests
        Information resources
        Intelligence tests
        Structural equation modeling
        Wasps
        Internet searching
        Health outcome assessment
        Questionnaires
        Factor analysis
        Descriptive statistics
        Bees
        Search engines
        Cognitive testing
        Statistical models
        Medical informatics
        Algorithms
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        subj:
          Problem solving
          Psychological tests
          Information resources
          Intelligence tests
          Structural equation modeling
          Wasps
          Internet searching
          Health outcome assessment
          Questionnaires
          Factor analysis
          Descriptive statistics
          Bees
          Search engines
          Cognitive testing
          Statistical models
          Medical informatics
          Algorithms
      keyword:
        bee swarm optimization
        dimensionality
        metaheuristics
        model specification search
        structural equation modeling
        bee swarm optimization
        dimensionality
        metaheuristics
        model specification search
        structural equation modeling
      ab: Metaheuristics are optimization algorithms that efficiently solve a variety of complex combinatorial problems. In psychological research, metaheuristics have been applied in short-scale construction and model specification search. In the present study, we propose a bee swarm optimization (BSO) algorithm to explore the structure underlying a psychological measurement instrument. The algorithm assigns items to an unknown number of nested factors in a confirmatory bifactor model, while simultaneously selecting items for the final scale. To achieve this, the algorithm follows the biological template of bees' foraging behavior: Scout bees explore new food sources, whereas onlooker bees search in the vicinity of previously explored, promising food sources. Analogously, scout bees in BSO introduce major changes to a model specification (e.g., adding or removing a specific factor), whereas onlooker bees only make minor changes (e.g., adding an item to a factor or swapping items between specific factors). Through this division of labor in an artificial bee colony, the algorithm aims to strike a balance between two opposing strategies diversification (or exploration) versus intensification (or exploitation). We demonstrate the usefulness of the algorithm to find the underlying structure in two empirical data sets (Holzinger–Swineford and short dark triad questionnaire, SDQ3). Furthermore, we illustrate the influence of relevant hyperparameters such as the number of bees in the hive, the percentage of scouts to onlookers, and the number of top solutions to be followed. Finally, useful applications of the new algorithm are discussed, as well as limitations and possible future research opportunities.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype: Article
      src: R
    language: English
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