Structural Equation Modeling in L۲ Research: A Systematic Review

Structural equation modeling (SEM), as a flexible and versatile multivariate statistical technique, has been growingly used since its introduction in the ۱۹۷۰s. This article presents a methodological synthesis of the characteristics of the use of SEM in L۲ research by examining the reporting practices in light of the current SEM literature to eventually provide some empirically grounded recommendations for future research. A total of ۷۲۲ instances of SEM found in ۱۴۵ empirical reports published in ۱۶ leading L۲ journals across two periods of ۱۹۸۱-۲۰۰۸ and ۲۰۰۹-۲۰۲۰ were systematically reviewed. Each study was coded for a wide range of analytic and reporting practices. The results indicate that despite the growing popularity of SEM in L۲ research, there was a wide variation and inconsistency in its uses and reports within and across the two periods in regard to the underlying assumptions, variables and models, model specification and estimation, and fit statistics. Drawing on the current SEM literature, we will discuss the findings and research implications for future use and reporting of SEM in L۲ research.