Search Algorithms: MIM Build



Introduction

MIM Build stands for Multiple Indicator Model Build. It is one of the three algorithms in Tetrad designed to investigate latent structure  (the others are the  Build  Pure Clusters and the Purify algorithms

MIM Build should be used to learn causal relationships among latent variables in a when the measurement model is given in advance but the structural model is unknown.

The MIM Build algorithm also assumes that the underlying (unknown) data generating process is a linear graph. If the user strongly suspects that the latents or indicators may be non-linearly related, MIM Build should not be used. We are also assuming that latents here do not have other hidden common causes.

All observed variables are assumed to be continuous, and therefore the current implementation of the algorithm accepts only continuous data sets as input. 


Entering MIM Build parameters

We illustrate the procedure with the following graph

When the MIM Build algorithm is chosen from the Search box, a window appears for specifying search parameters.

The parameters that are used by MIM Build can be specified in this window. The parameters are as follows:

Execute the search.


Interpreting the output

MIM Build returns a pattern over latent variables that is completely analogous to the one produced by a PC Search, or GES Search. The same interpretation used in such algorithms can be applied to MIM Build output.