Can We Compare Solidarity Across Europe? What, Why, When, and How to Assess Exact and Approximate Equivalence of First- and Second-Order Factor Models

摘要: Although measurement invariance is widely considered a precondition for meaningful cross-sectional comparisons, substantive studies have often neglected evaluating this assumption, thereby risking drawing conclusions and making theoretical generalizations based on misleading results. This study offers overview of the key issues concerning comparison socio-political values aims to answer questions what must be evaluated, why, when, how assess equivalence. paper discusses implications formative reflective approaches introduces challenges in their across different countries. From perspective, exact approximate equivalence are described as well empirical translation statistical techniques, such multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA) frequentist alignment method. To illustrate application these methods, investigates construct solidarity measured by European Values Study (EVS) using data collected 34 countries last wave EVS (2020). The concept captured through battery nine items reflecting three dimensions solidarity: social, local, global. Two models hypothesized: first-order model, which independent correlated, second-order conceived according hierarchical principle, reflected sub-factors. In testing results MGCFA indicated that metric was achieved. method supported only when model reduced two factors, excluding global solidarity. fit seven countries, could used concept. However, resulted not appropriate at any level invariance. Finally, further research discussed.