The aim of this research is to evaluate the quality of the description of the methodological procedures reported in articles that employed structural equation modeling (SEM), including confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis, which were published in RAE, RAUSP, Read, O&S, RAC and RAE-eletrônica journals between 2001 and 2010. A checklist for evaluating the articles was derived from the literature and was validated with 33 experts. The main results of the analysis of the 68 articles found were: an inability to replicate studies due to a lack of information and the use of exploratory research strategies without further validation. On the other hand, justifying the use of SEM use and the explanation of the theoretical implications of research findings are aspects that were fully met by the papers. The checklist itself is an important byproduct of this research, given that new lines of research regarding the application of the SEM method are derived from it and it can also be used as a teaching tool in research methodology courses.
Structural equation modeling (SEM); LISREL; Quantitative methodology; Journals from the administration area
