Model Selection Information Criteria for Non-Nested Latent Class Models

Latent class models have been developed for assessment of hierarchic relations in scaling and behavioral analysis. This article investigated the use of three model selection information criteria—Akaike AIC, Schwarz SIC, and Bozdogan CAIC—for non-nested models. In general, SIC and CAIC were superior to AIC for relatively simple models, whereas AIC was superior for more complex models, although accuracy was often quite low for such models. In addition, some effects were detected for error rates in the models.