S4E05 Moderated Nonlinear Factor Analysis: A Conversation with Dan Bauer

The potential of M&LFA in capturing measurement invariance

M&LFA, or moderated nonlinear factor analysis, offers a flexible and powerful framework for capturing measurement invariance across different groups or background variables. By allowing factor loadings, intercepts, and variances to be functions of other variables, M&LFA expands the traditional approach of invariance testing in factor analysis. It can be applied not only to categorical variables but also to continuous variables, enabling researchers to evaluate differential item functioning and measurement invariance in a more comprehensive and nuanced manner. Additionally, M&LFA can be extended to models with multiple factors and can even address questions about the covariance between factors. Overall, M&LFA provides a means to obtain more comparable and fairer scores, promoting better understanding of how measurement varies across different contexts.