方法对比

	模型检验研究	解释性研究
领域	研究设计	研究设计
方法族	Process / pipeline	Process / pipeline
起源年份	1970s (Joreskog 1969–1973); widely adopted in social sciences by the 1980s–1990s	1960s–1980s (codified in behavioral and social science methodology)
提出者	Karl G. Joreskog (SEM/LISREL framework); formalized through structural equation modeling tradition	Formalized by Earl Babbie and Fred Kerlinger among others
类型	Confirmatory quantitative research design	Non-experimental quantitative research design
开创性文献	Kline, R. B. (2015). Principles and Practice of Structural Equation Modeling (4th ed.). Guilford Press. ISBN: 978-1462523344	Kerlinger, F. N. (1986). Foundations of Behavioral Research (3rd ed.). Holt, Rinehart and Winston. ISBN: 978-0030417559
别名	model-based research, structural model testing, theory-testing research, MTR	analytical research, causal research, explanatory study, explanatory quantitative research
相关	5	5
摘要	Model testing research is a confirmatory quantitative design in which the researcher specifies a theoretical model — depicting hypothesized relationships among constructs — and then tests how well that model fits empirical data. Drawing primarily on structural equation modeling (SEM) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), it evaluates whether the data-implied covariance structure is consistent with the theoretically derived one, yielding fit indices that indicate model-data correspondence.	Explanatory research is a non-experimental quantitative research design that goes beyond describing a phenomenon to identifying why it occurs — examining the relationships or mechanisms that account for observed patterns. Rooted in positivist social science methodology, it uses theory-driven hypotheses and statistical analysis to test whether specific variables explain variation in an outcome, without necessarily manipulating those variables.