Generating datasets for simulation studies

[E. Bernardo]

Dear SEM experts,

We want to generate thousands of datasets with varied sample sizes (50, 200, 500) from a structural equation model (say, model with one endogenous latent variable and two exogenous latent variables, multivariate normal and skewed variables, each latent variable with three items that used 7-point ordinal options).  

We will use the data sets for our simulation studies.  Can you please suggest a software that can generate such data sets?

Eins

[juanreynel]

This book will help you doing simulation with AMOS SEM. The built-in basic programm will help you do the required simulation.
A Beginner's Guide to Structural Equation Modeling, By Dr. Randall E. Schumacker, Dr. Richard G. Lomax

[Ryan]

It's a matter of generating data from a variance-covariance matrix which conforms to a particular SEM, with the bells and whistles you desire (e.g., skewed variables etc.). Consequently, I would say that virtually any of the major stats software packages should be capable of simulating such data.

 

Ryan

On Sun, Feb 24, 2013 at 1:56 AM, E. Bernardo <[hidden email]> wrote:

Dear SEM experts,

We want to generate thousands of datasets with varied sample sizes (50, 200, 500) from a structural equation model (say, model with one endogenous latent variable and two exogenous latent variables, multivariate normal and skewed variables, each latent variable with three items that used 7-point ordinal options).  

We will use the data sets for our simulation studies.  Can you please suggest a software that can generate such data sets?

Eins

[Art Kendall]

I have not yet used the Simulation Builder in SPSS, but it should get you started.

A great deal of simulation can be done using INPUT PROGRAM and the many rv.* functions.

Check the archives of this list looking for "INPUT PROGRAM" and "RV."

There has also been syntax posted to generate variables from a given pop correlation matrix.  You should be able to adapt that syntax to create covariances.
On 2/24/2013 1:56 AM, E. Bernardo wrote:

Dear SEM experts,

We want to generate thousands of datasets with varied sample sizes (50, 200, 500) from a structural equation model (say, model with one endogenous latent variable and two exogenous latent variables, multivariate normal and skewed variables, each latent variable with three items that used 7-point ordinal options).  

We will use the data sets for our simulation studies.  Can you please suggest a software that can generate such data sets?

Eins

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[Eero Olli]

Dear Eins,

 

I have done something like this in SPSS, even though I was satisfied with a few hundred datasets.

 

Basically I wrote a CMD script for windows that contained a list of multiple parameters that were fed to a textfile, line by line, each line specifying one set of conditions for analysis (i.e. a separate dataset).

The command script started SPSS-projects. In SPSS I used python to grab these parameters, to insert them into the right places in the SPSS script and to save the resulting datafile with a name that reveals the most important parameters used. In other words, most of my SPSS script was wrapped inside python.

 

I am sure there are more elegant ways to do it, but this was based on my need for solid documentation for every step in the process, and the tools I feel confident about.

 

I am in a rush now, so I will not try to create a simplified script for example for the list, but I will send you directly a few of these files. If someone else needs these, please let me know.

 

Best,

Eero

 

 

 

Eero Olli                                                                          phone [phone]

Senior Adviser at Equality- and Anti-Discrimination Ombuds office

Mail: Post office box 8048 Dep, 0031 Oslo

Visits: Mariboesgate 13, Oslo

www.ldo.no

 

 

 

 

 

Dear SEM experts,

 

We want to generate thousands of datasets with varied sample sizes (50, 200, 500) from a structural equation model (say, model with one endogenous latent variable and two exogenous latent variables, multivariate normal and skewed variables, each latent variable with three items that used 7-point ordinal options).  

 

We will use the data sets for our simulation studies.  Can you please suggest a software that can generate such data sets?

 

Eins