Multivariate Taxometric Procedures: Distinguishing Types from Continua(Advanced Quantitative Techniques in the Social Sciences)

Can taxometric procedures be used to distinguish types (species, latent classes, taxa) from continua (dimensions, latent traits, factors); and, if so, how? Aimed at demystifying this process, Niels G. Waller and Paul E. Meehl unpack MeehlÆs work on the MAXCOV-HITMAX procedure to reveal the underlying rationale of MAXCOV in simple terms and show how this technique can be profitably used in a variety of disciplines by researchers in their taxonomic work. The book begins with a discussion of the misconceptions concerning the psychometric and philosophical status of taxonic constructs; and, next reviews several meanings of the term "taxon" and the philosophy of science that has guided the authorsÆ work in this area. The authors then describe MAXCOV-HITMAX and demonstrate how MAXCOV uses the general covariance mixture theorem to test taxonic hypotheses (using utility programs written in S-Plus that appear in the appendixes to do the taxometric procedures). Using many clear examples and illustrations, they next introduce two new taxometric procedures, MAXEIG-HITMAX (MAXEIG) and L-Mode, for the simultaneous analysis of multiply taxon indicators, and contrast these techniques with other data clustering and classification methods, such as latent profile analysis and Q-techniques factor analysis. Lastly, they provide guidelines for corroborating taxonic models and describe the role of taxometrics in scientific methodology. This book will appeal to those professionals and practitioners in statistics, research methods, evaluation, measurement, survey research, sociology, psychology, education research, communication research, policy studies, management, public health, and nursing.

Table of Contents:
Introduction Carving Nature at Its Joints Defining Nature′s Joints Alternative Meanings of Taxon Mathematical Foundations of Multivariate Taxometrics MAXEIG-HITMAX A Multivariate Generalization of MAXCOV Factor Analytic Techniques for Distinguishing Types from Continua L-Mode Factor Analytic Techniques for Distinguishing Types from Continua Q-Factor Analysis Taxometrics in Scientific Methodology

Review :
"It is an extraordinary intelligent yet accessible explication of taxometric procedures—their logic, analytical steps, and underlying philosophy of science—linking them to factor analytic methods traditionally used to analyze contrivances for underlying continuous differences."