PRI Workshop – Introduction to AMOS

Krissy Zeiser
Pennsylvania State University
klz124@pop.psu.edu

12-1pm
11/13/2008
Setting up the Dataset
• Missing values should be recoded in another program (preferably with SPSS since
AMOS uses SPSS datasets)
• Dummy variables and recoding of ordinal/continuous variables should be done
before working in AMOS
• Along with SPSS datasets (.sav), AMOS also reads .dbf, .xls, .txt, and .csv files

Missing Data
• AMOS prefers complete datasets, though it can perform FIML
• It is common to replace missing values with the variable’s mean or mode
• May perform listwise deletion first if you know which variables you will be using

Benefits of AMOS
• You can specify when variables or error terms should be correlated
• You can set error terms equal to each other
• You can assign values to correlations, factor loadings, etc.
• Easy to conceptualize models and provide illustrations to you structural equation
model
• Compares different models that use different constraints (nested models)
• Allows you to perform the same model on different subgroups of the sample
• Can perform latent growth curve modeling
• Can use visual basic code to run AMOS

Drawbacks to AMOS
• Must have a continuous (or ordinal) dependent variable
• Normally doesn’t use syntax-though the model is saved if you need to replicate
the results
• Amos does not allow you to weight your data to correct for sample design and
attrition

Today’s Example
• Today, we will be using variables from the National Education Longitudinal
Study of 1988 (NELS88)
• I will be demonstrating SEM using FIML, so missing values have already been
recoded into “.”

For more information, the .pdf file of the Amos manual can be found at:
http://www.psy.umassd.edu/Psy506/help_documents/AMOS_SEM%20manual.pdf
Analyzing in AMOS
Simple and Multiple Linear Regression
Example 1: two observed independent variables (math and reading test scores)
predicting an observed dependent variable (educational expectations)

• Observed variables are placed in boxes

• You can use the “copy machine” to copy, drag, and paste your boxes
rather than create new ones

• The endogenous (dependent) variable requires an error term-just click on

the icon and then click on the dependent variable

• Right-click the error term and click “Object properties” to name it so that AMOS
knows how to identify the error term in the output. When you’re done typing,
exit the window by clicking the red “x” in the upper right-hand corner.
o When you open a window to change preferences or label variables, Amos
will remember your changes when you close the window. There is not an
option to “save changes.”

• Arrows represent a regression with the arrows pointing toward the

dependent variable

• Covariances are identified with a 2-sided arrow

o If two exogenous variables are not connected with a covariance arrow, an
error message will appear. You are allowed to apply the constraint that
two exogenous variables are not correlated, but you need to tell AMOS
it’s ok
 e1

• After drawing you structural equation model, you must select which
dataset you will use

• Next, you must open the dataset and drag the variables into the
appropriate boxes

e1

1
reading_score

educ_ex

math_score

• Before running analyses, you must save your program

• To perform Full Information Maximum Likelihood (FIML) to account for missing

data, go into View→Analysis Properties and select the box next to “Estimate
Means and Intercepts”

• If you want to see standardized regression coefficients, under the “output” tab of
analysis properties, select the box next to “standardized estimates.” When you
close the menu, what you have selected will be remembered
• You’re finally ready to run your model

• Once analysis is run, you may look at the estimated unstandardized or

standardized coefficients directly on your model

• The output will show you the estimates as well as the model fit statistics.
This output will be saved as a separate file in the same location as your “input”
file .

• You can copy your model to a word document by clicking the button with
the clipboard and pasting it right into your document
Multivariate Linear Regression
Example 2: four observed independent variables (racial categories for Asian, Hispanic
black, and Indian) predicting two observed dependent variables (educational
expectations and reading test scores)

• You can have more than one dependent variable

• Each dependent variable requires an error term with a variable name

• To make your model better-looking and easier to read, by clicking the

error term icon multiple times, the error term and regression arrow will rotate
around your endogenous variable. Simply stop clicking when your error term is
where you want it to be positioned.

• As a shortcut to drawing covariances to and from various exogenous

variables, select which variables you wish to correlate using the icon with the
single pointing finger and then click on your exogenous variables

• Once the variables are selected (they turn blue), go to “Plugins→draw

covariances” and Amos will draw the covariance arrows. To un-select variables
and covariances, click on the icon with the closed fist

• You cannot correlate endogenous variables

• To make the covariances look “neater,” you can use the “moving truck”
to move the arrows or the variables themselves
 0,

e1

1
asian

educ_ex

hispanic

reading_score

1
0,
black
e2

indian
Linear Regression with Latent Variables
Example 3: three observed independent variables (family structure variables for two
parents (non-biological, single parent, and “other”) predicting an (unobserved) latent
dependent variable (emotional support) composed of five observed variables

• Use the red X to delete variables you no longer need-just click on the icon
and then click on the variable(s) you wish to delete

• Unobserved variables are placed in ovals

• To make a latent construct click on the latent construct icon. Then, click
on your latent variable oval once for every observed variable that comprises the
latent construct.
o Notice that error terms are automatically attached to these boxes and that
one of the factor loadings is already constrained to equal 1

o You have to create an error term for the latent oval as well

o Right-click the oval and select “object properties” to name your latent
construct. Don’t forget to name all of the error terms, too.

o To make the latent construct look “neater,” click on the “rotate

indicators” icon and click on the unobserved variable oval to rotate the
observed variables around the latent construct

• Drag the observed variables into their respective boxes

• Save your model and run it

• AMOS only conducts confirmatory factor analysis and provides factor loadings.
To perform exploratory factor analysis (to determine whether these variables
should indeed be combined to make a scale or latent construct), you should use
another package such as SPSS.
 0, 0, 0, 0, 0,

e5 e4 e3 e2 e1

1 1 1 1 1

emo_nolike emo_disap emo_und emo_getalo emo_fair

1
0
twopar

Emotional Support

single
1

0,

e6
other
Running Regression with Multiple subgroups
Example 3: three observed independent variables (family structure variables for two
parents (non-biological, single parent, and “other”) predicting an (unobserved) latent
dependent variable (emotional support) composed of five observed variables, models run
separately by gender

• You may also filter the dataset so that you are only looking at men or women,
respondents of different races, etc.

• Double-click “Group number1.” You may now rename the first group (i.e. males)
and click the “new” button to create and name a new group (i.e. females)

• Where you select the dataset, you now must select a dataset (it may be
the same one) for both groups

• For each of your groups, click on the button “grouping variable,” select which
variable identifies your groups (i.e. female), and click “ok.”

• Click on the group you choose to identify, and then click the “group value” button
and select which value identifies your group (i.e. 0=male).

• Do this for each of your groups, and then click “ok” to leave the “data files”
window

• , Save your model and run it

• A box on the left-hand side of your output will allow you to select each group.
While the model fit applies to all of the groups together, the estimates will change
by group.