Clarification on Estimation Methods in lavaan: DWLS vs. WLSMV

[Dinesha Dissanayake]

Hello everyone,

I am currently working with the lavaan package in R to analyze a dataset containing ordinal variables and I'm considering different estimation methods. I've come across Diagonally Weighted Least Squares (DWLS) and Weighted Least Squares Mean and Variance Adjusted (WLSMV). I would like to understand better:

1. Are DWLS and WLSMV considered different estimation methods in lavaan?
2. What are the key differences between these two methods, specifically in their implementation within lavaan?
3. In what scenarios would one method be preferred over the other?

Any insights or experiences shared would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

[Terrence Jorgensen]

1. Are DWLS and WLSMV considered different estimation methods in lavaan?

 No, the latter is a shortcut for declaring 3 other arguments (estimator=, se=, and test=), as described on the ?lavOptions help page.

Terrence D. Jorgensen    (he, him, his)
Assistant Professor, Methods and Statistics
Research Institute for Child Development and Education, the University of Amsterdam
http://www.uva.nl/profile/t.d.jorgensen