Bayesian Analysis of Linear and Nonlinear Latent Variable Models with Fixed Covariate and Ordered Categorical Data

Abstract

In this paper, ordered categorical variables are used to compare between linear and nonlinear interactions of fixed covariate and latent variables Bayesian structural equation models. Gibbs sampling method is applied for estimation and model comparison. Hidden continuous normal distribution (censored normal distribution) is used to handle the problem of ordered categorical data. Statistical inferences, which involve estimation of parameters and their standard deviations, and residuals analyses for testing the selected model, are discussed. The proposed procedure is illustrated by a simulation data obtained from R program. Analysis are done by using OpenBUGS program.