A COMPARISON OF 2 NEW INDEXES FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF FIT OF STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELS

The accurate assessment of model fit has emerged as a vital area of research in the advancement of structural equation modeling. Two recent indices of fit, the Relative Noncentrality Index (RNI, McDonald & Marsh, 1990) and the Comparative Fit Index (CFI, Bentler, 1990), constitute major progress in this regard. This research demonstrates that the RNI and CFI are algebraically equivalent in most applications but identifies one condition in which the indices will not be identical. In this condition, it is suggested that the RNI may be advantageous for model 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.