Factor Score

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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rebeccachan1111
PLS Junior User
Posts: 6
Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2019 12:50 am
Real name and title: Rebecca (research student)

Factor Score

Post by rebeccachan1111 »

Hi all I understand by clicking the latent variables tab after running PLS algorithm, they are the factor scores of each construct for the data set.

All my scales are 7-point Likert scales from 1 to 7. If the path is positive, by multiplying the factor loadings I would expect positive numbers. However I found something strange. Even for one construct which has only two indicators, all positive loadings, the factor score turns out to have negative. Why is that so? My purpose is very simple, just to show a descriptive statistics of what is the average rating on that construct.

If my model is A and B -> C, while C itself has 3-items, what would the latent variable score of C in Smartpls mean then? A combination of the impact of A and B path weights and C indicators, or just C indicators?

Thanks.

Rebecca
jmbecker
SmartPLS Developer
Posts: 1282
Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2006 11:09 am
Real name and title: Dr. Jan-Michael Becker

Re: Factor Score

Post by jmbecker »

All data is routinely standardized in the normal PLS algorithm. Hence, latent variable scores are also standardized. If you want unstandardized LV scores you may use the IPMA, which provides unstandardized LV scores.
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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