Bang Quan Zheng

• Ph.D.
• University of Texas at Austin

Covariance structure analysis or structural equation modeling is critical for political scientists measuring latent structural relationships, allowing for the simultaneous assessment of both latent and observed variables, alongside measurement error. Well-specified models are essential for theoretical support, balancing simplicity with optimal mode...

While voters from opposing parties have traditionally exhibited symmetric levels of hostility toward out-party candidates, our analysis of the 2016 and 2020 Nationscape data reveals a notable departure from this pattern. In 2016, negative voting was relatively balanced, with similar levels of hostility directed at Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump....

Covariance Structure Analysis (CSA) or Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) is critical for political scientists measuring latent structural relationships, allowing for the simultaneous assessment of both latent and observed variables, alongside measurement error. Well-specified models are essential for theoretical support, balancing simplicity with...

This paper aims to advocate for a balanced approach to model fit evaluation in structural equation modeling (SEM). The ongoing debate surrounding chi-square test statistics and fit indices has been characterized by ambiguity and controversy. Despite the acknowledged limitations of relying solely on the chi-square test, its careful application can e...

This study examines opinion instability among individuals from different ethnic groups (White, Latino, and Asian Americans) by analyzing measurement errors in survey measures. Using a multi-wave panel dataset of college students and employing generalizability theory, the study uncovers significant patterns. The results reveal that White students ex...

Mediation analysis is a statistical approach that examines how an independent variable influences a dependent variable by way of a mediating variable. Past research has emphasized the importance of controlling for baseline measures of both the mediator and outcome variables to account for stable individual differences that could potentially confoun...

This study investigates the cross-racial measurement and validity of the authoritarianism scale among Whites and Blacks. Previous research by Perez and Hetherington (2014) suggests higher levels of authoritarianism among African Americans compared to Whites, potentially due to differing interpretations of scale items. However, their research overlo...

RGLS is an R package designed to compute Regularized Generalized Least Squares test statistics and their corresponding p-values. This package is hosted in my GitHub repository. To install it, use this command install_github("bqzheng/RGLS"). The RGLS function performs a non-linear transformation on sample eigenvalues, providing a robust method for...

RLS is an R package designed for reweighted least squares (RLS) estimation, complete with p-values. The package is currently hosted in my GitHub repository. To download and install the RLS package: install_github('bqzheng/RLS')

The rise of digital voter file data has enhanced the analysis of American political participation and voting behavior, offering an alternative, less biased data source than self-reported turnout studies. However, addressing Differential Item Functioning (DIF) remains crucial, introducing bias into estimates due to variations in electoral rules acro...

The advent of a high-choice media environment has profound implications for exposure to political news, drawing attention to individual-level factors shaping people's interaction with political content. However, the association between Big Five personality traits, motivations for political news use, and their effects on news consumption remains une...

This paper underscores the vital role of the chi-square test within political science research utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM). The ongoing debate regarding the inclusion of chi-square test statistics alongside fit indices in result presentations has sparked controversy. Despite the recognized limitations of relying solely on the chi-s...

This paper underscores the vital role of the chi-square test within political science research utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM). The ongoing debate regarding the inclusion of chi-square test statistics alongside fit indices in result presentations has sparked controversy. Despite the recognized limitations of relying solely on the chi-s...

The development of the random intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM) is an extension of the traditional cross-lagged panel model (CLPM), which aims to study between and within person variances in longitudinal data. Despite its growing popularity in behavioral and social sciences, our understanding of goodness-of-fit tests of RI-CLPMs is limit...

The development of the random intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM) is an extension of the traditional cross-lagged panel model (CLPM), which aims to study between and within person variances in longitudinal data. Despite its growing popularity in behavioral and social sciences, our understanding of goodness-of-fit tests of RI-CLPMs is limit...

This paper assesses the performance of regularized generalized least squares (RGLS) and reweighted least squares (RLS) methodologies in a confirmatory factor analysis model. Normal theory maximum likelihood (ML) and generalized least squares (GLS) statistics are based on large sample statistical theory. However, ML and GLS goodness-of-fit tests oft...

A central challenge for citizens is to understand how their political system works. The classic “Levels of Conceptualization” measure proposed in The American Voter provided an answer for White Americans in the 1950s, but has limited relevance today for citizens of non-European ancestry. Expanding on the work of Campbell et al., this paper develops...

Objectives This study aims to test the extent to which campaigns along with partisanship polarized public attitudes on a series of major policy issues during the 2010 Senate elections. Methods Data are drawn from the 2010 Cooperative Congressional Election Study data and Campaign Media Analysis Group data, which are provided by Wesleyan Media Proj...

https://doi.org/10.1111/ssqu.13199

This study examines the sources of instability in survey measures of individuals' racial attitudes and the differences across White, Latino, and Asian American students. Past studies on opinion stability have neglected the comparative characteristics across groups. Drawing on five-wave panel data from UCLA undergraduate students, and applied genera...

A central problem for citizens is to understand how their political system works. The classic “Levels of Conceptualization” measure proposed in The American Voter provided an answer for White Americans in the 1950s, but has limited relevance today for citizens of non-European ancestry. Expanding on the work of Campbell et al, this paper develops a...

A long-lasting empirical puzzle regarding immigrant political incorporation is that Asian Americans are less likely to participate politically and identify with the parties. Underlying this propensity of partisanship acquisition is how much Asian Americans know about American politics, and how policy attitude congruence and political knowledge shap...

Chi-square tests based on maximum likelihood (ML) estimation of covariance structures often incorrectly over-reject the null hypothesis: Σ=Σθ when the sample size is small. Reweighted least squares (RLS) avoids this problem. In some models, the vector of parameter must contain means, variances, and covariances, yet whether RLS also works in mean an...

This paper assesses the performance of regularized generalized least squares (RGLS) and reweighted least squares (RLS) methodologies in a confirmatory factor analysis model. Normal theory maximum likelihood (ML) and GLS statistics are based on large sample statistical theory. However, violation of asymptotic sample size is ubiquitous in real applic...

A central problem for citizens is to understand how their political system works. The classic "Levels of Conceptualization" measure proposed in The American Voter provided an answer for White Americans in the 1950s, but has limited relevance today for citizens of non-European ancestry. Expanding on the work of Campbell et al, this paper develops a...

Does Reweighted Least Squares (RLS) perform better in small samples than maximum likelihood (ML) for mean and covariance structure? ML statistics in covariance structure analysis are based on the asymptotic normality assumption; however, actual applications of structural equation modeling (SEM) in social and behavioral science research usually invo...

I argue that elite discourse delivered by election campaigns and the mass media had boosted racial resentment against African Americans, thereby led to reduced support for Obamacare in 2010. Many scholars have observed that white opinions on President Obama's health care reform are highly racialized. They have found, that is, that many whites respo...

This study aims to examine the patterns of Asian Americans' partisanship acquisition by asking why and in what ways Asian Americans develop partisan affiliation with the Democratic and Republican Party. Drawing on the 2008 National Asian American Survey data and employing logistic regression analysis, this research situates the analytical framework...

As the number of Asian American voters has increased with each election, more research is needed to understand the participation and voting patterns of this diverse electorate. This paper offers an analysis of Asian American political participation and vote choice preferences during the 2016 presidential election. The paper begins by addressing the...