Manuscript Scope & Contribution
Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) is positioned at the intersection of methodology and application, and it welcomes contributions that advance scholarship across a range of academic subject areas. SEM has long been established as a versatile tool for empirical research, and its ability to model complex relationships makes it central to multiple disciplines. By publishing in this journal, authors situate their work within a broad and interdisciplinary conversation that spans the social sciences, decision sciences, economics, finance, mathematics, and simulation studies.To make this work widely accessible through open access, the journal is supported by Article Processing Charges (APC).
In the Decision Sciences, SEM provides a robust framework for analyzing judgment, choice, and problem-solving in contexts of uncertainty. Articles that use SEM to evaluate decision-making processes in organizations, markets, or public policy settings are particularly relevant, as they illustrate how quantitative models can capture the complexity of human reasoning. SEM also welcomes studies in Decision Sciences, where SEM methods can be adapted to novel or emerging contexts that defy traditional categorization, including behavioural decision-making, innovation systems, and interdisciplinary problem-solving.
In the fields of Economics, Econometrics, and Finance, SEM is increasingly recognized as a powerful tool for testing theoretical models, measuring latent constructs, and analyzing causal relationships. Submissions that employ SEM to address issues such as financial risk, consumer behaviour, market efficiency, or macroeconomic dynamics are encouraged. Equally, the journal is open to work in Economics, Econometrics, and Finance, where SEM can shed light on broader economic phenomena that extend beyond classical models, such as sustainability transitions, digital economies, or informal financial systems.
The journal also embraces manuscripts rooted in Mathematics and Modeling and Simulation, recognizing that SEM itself is grounded in mathematical rigor and often extended through computational techniques. We particularly value studies that explore simulation-based evaluations of SEM models, comparisons with alternative statistical frameworks, or innovations in estimation and model testing procedures. Such contributions not only refine SEM as a methodology but also enhance its accessibility and reliability for applied researchers.
Finally, SEM remains firmly connected to the Social Sciences, where it continues to be one of the most influential analytic strategies for theory-driven empirical research. Within sociology and political science, SEM has been used to investigate structural inequalities, social capital, political attitudes, institutional trust, governance, and cross-national comparisons. We welcome articles that apply SEM to these and other substantive issues, as well as those that push the boundaries of traditional research design by integrating SEM with mixed-methods or comparative approaches.
Taken together, these subject areas reflect the breadth of SEM’s relevance and the interdisciplinary nature of its applications. SEM Journal does not limit itself to one discipline or methodological style. Instead, it aims to be a hub where economists, decision scientists, mathematicians, social scientists, and policy scholars can exchange ideas and learn from one another’s methodological innovations. Manuscripts submitted to the journal should therefore not only report results but also situate those results within the broader academic conversation about how SEM enriches our understanding of complex systems. In this sense, every contribution to the SEM Journal is expected to serve both as a specialized advancement within its field and as a resource for researchers across disciplines.
By articulating its scope in this way, the SEM Journal ensures that it continues to represent a global community of scholars committed to methodological rigor, interdisciplinary dialogue, and substantive relevance. Authors are encouraged to position their work clearly within these subject categories, highlighting both the specific contribution to their field and the broader significance of their findings for the continuing development of SEM as a central tool of modern research.