A COMPARISON OF 2 NEW INDEXES FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF FIT OF STRUCTURALEQUATION MODELS

The accurate assessment of model fit has emerged as a vital area of re search in the advancement of structural equation modeling. Two recent indices of fit, the Relative Noncentrality Index (RNI, McDonald & Mars h, 1990) and the Comparative Fit Index (CFI, Bentler, 1990), constitut e major progress in this regard. This research demonstrates that the R NI and CFI are algebraically equivalent in most applications but ident ifies one condition in which the indices will not be identical. In thi s condition, it is suggested that the RNI may be advantageous for mode l comparison purposes whereas the CFI may be preferred with respect to efficiency of estimate. Additionally, two cautions pertaining to the incremental approach to fit underlying both indices are discussed and appropriate recommendations are provided.