About the Book
Designed for students and researchers without an extensive quantitative background, this book offers an informative guide to the application, interpretation and pitfalls of structural equation modelling SEM in the social sciences.; The book covers introductory techniques including path analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, and provides an overview of more advanced methods such as the evaluation of non-linear effects, the analysis of means in convariance structure models, and latent growth models for longitudinal data. Providing examples from various disciplines to illustrate all aspects of SEM, the book offers clear instructions on the preparation and screening of data, common mistakes to avoid and widely used software programs Amos, EQS and LISREL. The book aims to provide the skills necessary to begin to use SEM in research and to interpret and critique the use of method by others.
About the Author :
Rex B. Kline, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Psychology and a member of the Clinical Psychology faculty at Concordia University in Montreal. He is trained as a child clinical psychologist and as a methodologist. Much of his research concerns the psychological assessment of children in school or clinical settings.
Review :
"This book offers a superb treatment of structural equation modeling. It is really the clearest and most accessible introduction that I have encountered and, as such, it should be the leading source on the topic for many years to come. Kline has a remarkable talent for writing clearly about difficult and complex issues and making the logic of modeling clear to the reader. The book has a wise and gentle hand, thoroughly and thoughtfully discussing both the virtues and potential abuses of SEM. I will certainly use it in my classes and recommend it to others." --Charles M. Judd, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Colorado, Boulder "This clear guide provides a user-friendly SEM roadmap for those navigating unfamiliar statistical waters. The book translates abstract and often complex mathematical concepts into plain speech. As such, it will be a welcome resource to those teaching in this area. Both novices and experts will appreciate the logical chapter organization and the useful chapter summaries. Students or professionals seeking to incorporate SEM into their armamentarium of statistical tools will do well to make this book required reading." --Jeffrey P. Bjorck, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Department of Clinical Psychology, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA
, .."clearly written, well edited." --Journal of the American Statistical Association
, .."a guidebook for social scientists who, despite their limited training in quantitative analysis, recognize the need to apply SEM in their own research. Using a conceptual and nonmathematical approach, Kline walks the reader through the basics of SEM (and some of the intricacies as well). He does so with great success. You'll find 11 well-written chapters that explain complex statistical concepts in everyday language, many of which are short enough to be read in a single sitting. For those of you with limited time for continuing your professional education, this should make your studies much easier. The author also presents the major features of SEM with the aid of concrete examples that are drawn from the professional literature....I really can't stop raving about this book....this is an exceptionally well-written text, and it should serve as an effective primer for advanced study. I envision that my copy...will end up like a select few of my other reference books: dog-eared and tattered from years of answering my day-to-day questions. There can be no finer measure for a text." --Personnel Psychology
, .."represents one of the most comprehensive of available introductions to the application, execution, and interpretation of [SEM]. The book is written for both students and researchers who do not have extensive quantitative background....Kline's book is an invaluable resource for individuals wishing to develop skills in SEM but who already have some understanding of the technique and structural equation software." --CanadianPsychology
"The principles, assumptions, strengths, limitations, and practical uses of structural equation modeling (SEM) receive an excellent narrative explanation in this enjoyable, witty, literate, and comprehensive introductory textbook for research students, teachers, and practitioners.... Fascinating research examples illustrate SEM in action." --Readings
.,."clearly written, well edited." --Journal of the American Statistical Association
.,."a guidebook for social scientists who, despite their limited training in quantitative analysis, recognize the need to apply SEM in their own research. Using a conceptual and nonmathematical approach, Kline walks the reader through the basics of SEM (and some of the intricacies as well). He does so with great success. You'll find 11 well-written chapters that explain complex statistical concepts in everyday language, many of which are short enough to be read in a single sitting. For those of you with limited time for continuing your professional education, this should make your studies much easier. The author also presents the major features of SEM with the aid of concrete examples that are drawn from the professional literature....I really can't stop raving about this book....this is an exceptionally well-written text, and it should serve as an effective primer for advanced study. I envision that my copy...will end up like a select few of my other reference books: dog-eared and tattered from years of answering my day-to-day questions. There can be no finer measure for a text." --Personnel Psychology
.,."represents one of the most comprehensive of available introductions to the application, execution, and interpretation of [SEM]. The book is written for both students and researchers who do not have extensive quantitative background....Kline's book is an invaluable resource for individuals wishing to develop skills in SEM but who already have some understanding of the technique and structural equation software." --Canadian Psychology
"The principles, assumptions, strengths, limitations, and practical uses of structural equation modeling (SEM) receive an excellent narrative explanation in this enjoyable, witty, literate, and comprehensive introductory textbook for research students, teachers, and practitioners.... Fascinating research examples illustrate SEM in action." --Readings
..."clearly written, well edited." --Journal of the American Statistical Association
..."a guidebook for social scientists who, despite their limited training in quantitative analysis, recognize the need to apply SEM in their own research. Using a conceptual and nonmathematical approach, Kline walks the reader through the basics of SEM (and some of the intricacies as well). He does so with great success. You'll find 11 well-written chapters that explain complex statistical concepts in everyday language, many of which are short enough to be read in a single sitting. For those of you with limited time for continuing your professional education, this should make your studies much easier. The author also presents the major features of SEM with the aid of concrete examples that are drawn from the professional literature....I really can't stop raving about this book....this is an exceptionally well-written text, and it should serve as an effective primer for advanced study. I envision that my copy...will end up like a select few of my other reference books: dog-eared and tattered from years of answering my day-to-day questions. There can be no finer measure for a text." --Personnel Psychology
..."represents one of the most comprehensive of available introductions to the application, execution, and interpretation of ÝSEM¨. The book is written for both students and researchers who do not have extensive quantitative background....Kline's book is an invaluable resource for individuals wishing to develop skills in SEM but who already have some understanding of the technique and structural equation software." --Canadian Psychology
"The principles, assumptions, strengths, limitations, and practical uses of structural equation modeling (SEM) receive an excellent narrative explanation in this enjoyable, witty, literate, and comprehensive introductory textbook for research students, teachers, and practitioners.... Fascinating research examples illustrate SEM in action." --Readings
