Infra-Structural Equation Modelling: Sustainably Scaling an Indispensable Open-Source Theory-Testing Infrastructure

Structural equation modelling (SEM) is one of the most powerful, flexible statistical methods available for representing and validating scientific theories. Commercial software packages prevent researchers from adopting fully open-science practices when utilizing SEM. This project improves the quality and expands the scope of the best available open-source SEM package, lavaan, to fully realize its stated goal: “to provide researchers and teachers a free open-source, but commercial-quality package for latent variable modelling". Accountability and quality-control methods will be implemented sustainably, to ensure taxpayer-funded science is conducted transparently at the highest standards. Open-access education materials will democratize access to this powerful method.