Table 2.
Description of measurement invariance
| Invariance type | Description |
|---|---|
| Configural | Different groups associate the same subset of items with the same constructs. To test data are analyzed simultaneously and no constraints are placed between groups. This model is used as the baseline model. |
| Metric (also called weak invariance) | Respondents across groups attribute the same meaning (factor loadings) to the latent construct(s). To test factor loadings are constrained to be equal across groups. This model is compared to the configural model. |
| Structural (also called scalar or strong invariance) | The meanings (factor loadings) and the levels of the items (intercepts) are equal across groups. To test factor loadings and intercepts are constrained to be equal. This model is compared to the metric model. If this is met groups can be compared on scores of the latent construct. |