Abstract:

Formative Model (FM) refers to the measurement model in which the variation of latent variable is caused by the index variation, while Reflective Model (RM) refers to the measurement model in which the index variation is caused by the variation of latent variable. There are distinctions between FM and RM in definition, identification, estimation, the evaluation of reliability and validity and application. Wrong model definition may cause the deviation of parameters estimation, so as to lower the efficiency of statistical result. Therefore prudent consideration should be taken to the relationship between index and latent variable in order to choose the appropriate measurement model. At last, the future research should focus on the clarification of the differences between FM and RM, the effect of misuse, the improvement of the identification and estimation, the reliability and validity evaluation, the explanation of the meaning of variables and the theoretical interpretation and model estimaton of high-level FM.

Key words: Formative Model, Reflective Model, Structural Equation Model