Abstract: Exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) is an approach in which an exploratory factor analysis measurement model with rotations is a part of an SEM. As a kind of advanced statistical methods, ESEM integrates the functions and advantages of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, two kinds of factor analysis methods. Using ESEM, researchers can flexibly explore the factor structure, systematically test the factor model, and provide more suitable measurement model for analyzing the relationship of latent variables. ESEM has been applied in the researches of some disciplines in social science. It is a method deserved of recommendation for factor analysis. Some issues on ESEM, such as the choice of rotation criterion and the methods for estimating test reliability, require to be addressed in the future.

Key words: exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), structural equation modeling (SEM)