Confirmatory factor analysis using AMOS: a demonstration

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the process of using AMOS to test first- and higher-order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) models. We performed the analyses with the AMOS 17.0 statistic package, a very user-friendly program for structural equation modeling. In this paper, we describe the concepts, theories, and basic steps of conducting CFA as well as provide a general introduction to the software AMOS. The process of conducting two different types of CFA within the framework of AMOS program (first-order CFA and higher-order or hierarchical CFA) are illustrated based on the data collected from 604 secondary school teachers involved in the Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong. The factor structure of a subjective outcome evaluation form developed to assess program implementers' subjective evaluation about the project was examined.