Constructs, indicators and paths
- Create constructs with researcher-facing names.
- Assign the intended indicators and measurement type.
- Use Connect to draw directional structural paths.
- Use clear captions only when they add scientific context.
Measurement types
- Reflective: the construct is treated as causing its indicators; loadings, reliability and convergent validity may apply.
- Formative: indicators form the composite; outer weights and collinearity are central, while internal-consistency reliability is generally not applicable.
- Common factor: use only for methods and constructs that support the factor-model assumptions.
Mediation, moderation and higher-order models
Mediation requires an explicit indirect chain. Moderation requires a documented predictor, moderator, outcome and interaction construction. Higher-order analysis requires a defensible relationship between lower-order dimensions and the higher-order construct. Follow the method tutorial rather than adapting a direct-effects example informally.
Readiness and correction
Choose Validate and resolve blockers. Each issue should identify the problem, explain why calculation is blocked, and provide a correction or Go to action. Warnings require review but may not block a method.
Arrange once and save
Use Arrange once after the scientific model is complete, refine positions if necessary, and save. Supplied prepared projects already contain neat coordinates; do not arrange them again unless you intentionally change the model.