modelscompete4

Compare Nested and Non‑Nested Structural Equation Models
Built on lavaan – automatic nesting detection, chi‑square difference tests, Vuong tests, and comprehensive fit indices.

Installation

# install.packages("remotes")
remotes::install_github("ssjerf-stack/modelscompete4")

Quick Start

library(modelscompete4)
library(lavaan)

# Example data
data(HolzingerSwineford1939)

# Define models as named list of lavaan syntax strings
model_list <- list(
  "OneFactor" = "g =~ x1 + x2 + x3 + x4 + x5 + x6",
  "TwoFactor" = "
    visual  =~ x1 + x2 + x3
    textual =~ x4 + x5 + x6
  "
)

# Compare them – the function fits the models automatically
result <- compare_models(model_list, data = HolzingerSwineford1939)

# Print summary
print(result)

# Access detailed results
result$fit_table          # fit indices for all models
result$comparison_matrix  # pairwise test results

Features

Nested models → chi‑square difference test (lavTestLRT)
Non‑nested models → Vuong test (nonnest2::vuongtest)
Fit indices: AIC, BIC, CFI, TLI, RMSEA, SRMR, χ², df, p‑value
Automatic model naming – use your own names
Bootstrap support – standard errors and confidence intervals
S3 methods – print(), summary()

Advanced Example

# Three non‑nested models with different factor structures
models <- list(
  "M1" = "F1 =~ x1 + x2 + x3",
  "M2" = "F1 =~ x1 + x2 + x3 + x4",
  "M3" = "
    F1 =~ x1 + x2 + x3
    F2 =~ x4 + x5 + x6
  "
)

result <- compare_models(models, data = HolzingerSwineford1939)
print(result)

Output Structure

The returned object of class modelscompete4 contains:

Component	Description
`$fit_list`	List of fitted `lavaan` objects
`$fit_table`	Data frame with fit indices for all models
`$comparison_matrix`	Matrix with pairwise test results
`$test_results`	Detailed statistical tests (LRT / Vuong)
`$bootstrap_summary`	Bootstrapped estimates (if requested)

License

See https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0 for the full license.