Hierarchical factor structures represent the correlations between variables in terms of a smaller set of correlated factors which themselves can be represented by a higher order factor.
Two alternative solutions to such structures are found by the omega function. The correlated factors solutions represents the effect of the higher level, general factor, through its effect on the correlated factors. The other representation makes use of the Schmid Leiman transformation to find the direct effect of the general factor upon the original variables as well as the effect of orthogonal residual group factors upon the items.
Graphic presentations of these two alternatives are helpful in understanding the structure. omega.graph and omega.diagram draw both such structures. Graphs are drawn directly onto the graphics window or expressed in ``dot" commands for conversion to graphics using implementations of Graphviz (if using omega.graph).
Using Graphviz allows the user to clean up the Rgraphviz output. However, if Graphviz and Rgraphviz are not available, use omega.diagram.
See the other structural diagramming functions, fa.diagram and structure.diagram.
Zinbarg, R., Yovel, I., Revelle, W. & McDonald, R. (2006). Estimating generalizability to a universe of indicators that all have one attribute in common: A comparison of estimators for omega. Applied Psychological Measurement, 30, 121-144. DOI: 10.1177/0146621605278814