Structural Equation Modeling: Foundations and Extensions (Advanced Quantitative Techniques in the Social Sciences)

By David W. Kaplan

Book Overview

"This is a thorough and sophisticated treatment of structural equation modeling (SEM). The book assumes a strong background in statistics and matrix algebra. The author clearly is knowledgeable and has put much thought into the pros and cons of standard applications of SEM. The chapters on multilevel and growth modeling are an excellent feature of the book."

--Rick H. Hoyle, University of Kentucky

Through the use of detailed, empirical examples, this exciting book presents an advanced treatment of the foundations of structural equation modeling (SEM) and demonstrates how SEM can provide a unique lens on problems in the social and behavioral sciences.

The author begins with an introduction to recursive and non-recursive models, estimation, testing, and the problem of measurement in observed variables. Kaplan then explores the issue of group differences in structural models, statistical assumptions in structural modeling (from sampling to missing data and specification error), the assessment of statistical power and model modification in the context of model evaluation, and SEM applied to complex data structures such as those obtained from clustered random sampling. The book concludes with a discussion of recent developments in latent variable growth curve modeling and a critique of the conventional practice of structural modeling in light of recent developments in econometric modeling.

Features/Benefits:

- Shows how SEM can be used to answer substantive questions by weaving a small set of substantive examples throughout the book

- Explains recent developments in structural equation modeling applied to complex sampling, such as multilevel SEM and latent variable growth

- Provides a critique of the standard practice of structural equation modeling throughout the book and discusses an alternative approach in light of recent developments in econometric modeling.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0761914072
• ISBN13: 9780761914075
• Release Date: October 2000
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 1.02 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.8" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

A good reference, once you know something about SEM

As a student of Dr. Kaplan's, we used this book as a way to remind us what the loads of greek symbols scrawled across our notes actually meant. While not written to be used with any specific program, I find the book to be a great reference when I haven't used SEM for a while and need to be reminded of some of its nuances. If you are trying to learn SEM, I suggest you get a book specifically written for the program you plan on using first. Once you understand the basics, this book comes in handy. Also useful if you have a burning desire to understand the barebones behind what SEM is and the math involved.