Why Use PLS

Source: From Google

There are several reasons why postgraduate students prefer to use PLS in measuring their model. Hair et al., (2013) listed several reasons for using PLS to measure model:

• PLS can be used for theory confirmation or theory development.
• PLS makes fewer demands regarding sample size (e.g. <20).
• PLS better than CBSEM when data were normally distributed, with a small sample size and correlated exogenous variables.
• PLS does not require normal-distributed data. [CBSEM use the usual maximum likelihood estimation method, which assume multivariate normality]
• PLS can be applied to more complex structural equation model.
• PLS able to handle both reflective and formative construct.
• PLS is better suited for theory development than for theory testing.
• PLS is especially useful for prediction (prediction intention). Prediction is more important than parameter estimation.
• PLS has ability to handle multicollinearity among IVs and small samples.

Tips for VIVA: Examiners might ask you, why you choose this PLS rather than SEM, SPSS or other statistical tools? Sometimes, they might ask why you use PLS 2 but not PLS 3? So, try find the answer for these questions before attending your VIVA session. 

I wish you all the best in your VIVA! You can do it!

Reference:

Hair, Jr. J. F., G. Tomas Hult, C. Ringle, and M. Sarstedt. “A primer on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM)”. Thousand Oaks, Sage, 2013.