title: Accounting for Parcel-Allocation Variability in Practice: Combining Sources of Uncertainty and Choosing the Number of Allocations.
abstract: Item parceling remains widely used under conditions that can lead to parcel-allocation variability in results. Hence, researchers may be interested in quantifying and accounting for parcel-allocation variability within sample. To do so in practice, three key issues need to be addressed. First, how can we combine sources of uncertainty arising from sampling variability and parcel-allocation variability when drawing inferences about parameters in structural equation models? Second, on what basis can we choose the number of repeated item-to-parcel allocations within sample? Third, how can we diagnose and report proportions of total variability per estimate arising due to parcel-allocation variability versus sampling variability? This article addresses these three methodological issues. Developments are illustrated using simulated and empirical examples, and software for implementing them is provided.
authors.affiliation: a Vanderbilt University.
authors.forename: Sonya K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Sterba
authors.affiliation: a Vanderbilt University.
authors.forename: Jason D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Rights
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D059031:Anticipation, Psychological; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D012649:Self Concept; D012934:Social Isolation; D012984:Software; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D013997:Time Factors; D035501:Uncertainty; D014495:Universities
keywords: Item parceling; parcel-allocation variability; pooling rules; sampling variability; structural equation modeling