A new method for estimating structural equation models (SEM) is proposed and evaluated. In contrast to most other methods, it is based directly on the data, not on the covariance matrix of the data. The new approach is flexible enough to handle non-linear and non-smooth models and allows to model various constraints. Principle strengths and weaknesses of this approach are discussed and simulation studies are performed to reveal problems and potentials of this approach.

翻译：与大多数其他方法不同的是,它直接以数据为基础,而不是以数据的共变量矩阵为基础,新的方法足够灵活,足以处理非线性和非线性模型,并能够模拟各种制约因素,讨论这一方法的原则优缺点,进行模拟研究,揭示这一方法的问题和潜力。