Sample size

Questions about the implementation and application of the PLS-SEM method, that are not related to the usage of the SmartPLS software.
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MariaLunde
PLS User
Posts: 11
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2018 2:23 pm
Real name and title: Maria Lunde

Sample size

Post by MariaLunde »

Dear all,

I really want to apply PLS, but my sample size on the current study is approxomately 5000.
I will do multigroup analysis, where the segments consist of 1700 respondents in each.

Are there any other papers using PLS on such large sample?

And are there any reasons for not using Smart pls in this case?

I am very much looking forward to your respons.
Best regards, Maria
jmbecker
SmartPLS Developer
Posts: 1281
Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2006 11:09 am
Real name and title: Dr. Jan-Michael Becker

Re: Sample size

Post by jmbecker »

PLS works well on large samples, but depending on your model and research goals you might also consider CB-SEM.

There are ASCI datasets that are analyzed with PLS and have 10,000 observations. But I don't have a specific reference at hand. Maybe look at the Fornell studies and some of the paper on unobserved heterogeneity that use the ASCI as an example dataset.
Dr. Jan-Michael Becker, BI Norwegian Business School, SmartPLS Developer
Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jan_Michael_Becker
GoogleScholar: http://scholar.google.de/citations?user ... AAAJ&hl=de
MariaLunde
PLS User
Posts: 11
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2018 2:23 pm
Real name and title: Maria Lunde

Re: Sample size

Post by MariaLunde »

Thank you so much for your reply.

I chose PLS sem because some of my variables was skewed, and consequently, the data was not normally distributed. Is this good enough reason to justify the use of PLS contra CB-SEM?

I appriciate any comments:)
jmbecker
SmartPLS Developer
Posts: 1281
Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2006 11:09 am
Real name and title: Dr. Jan-Michael Becker

Re: Sample size

Post by jmbecker »

Well, there are also CB-SEM estimators that can handle non-normal data, especially if you have very large sample sizes. Depending on the reviewer of your paper you might get problems if that is your only reason to use PLS.

Hair, J. F., Risher, J. J., Sarstedt, M., & Ringle, C. M. (2019). When to use and how to report the results of PLS-SEM. European Business Review. doi:10.1108/EBR-11-2018-0203
Dr. Jan-Michael Becker, BI Norwegian Business School, SmartPLS Developer
Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jan_Michael_Becker
GoogleScholar: http://scholar.google.de/citations?user ... AAAJ&hl=de
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