Principles and Practice of Structural Equation Modeling: Second Edition(Methodology in the Social Sciences)

This popular text provides an accessible guide to the application, interpretation, and pitfalls of structural equation modeling (SEM). Reviewed are fundamental statistical concepts--such as correlation, regressions, data preparation and screening, path analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis--as well as more advanced methods, including the evaluation of nonlinear effects, measurement models and structural regression models, latent growth models, and multilevel SEM.

Table of Contents:
Part 1: Fundamental Concepts. Introduction. Basic Statistical Concepts: I. Correlation and Regression. Basic Statistical Concepts: II. Data Preparation and Screening. Core SEM Techniques and Software. Part 2: Core SEM Techniques. Introduction to Path Analysis. Details of Path Analysis. Measurement Models and Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Models with Structural and Measurement Components. Part 3: Advanced Techniques, Avoiding Mistakes. Nonrecursive Structural Models. Mean Structures and Latent Growth Models. Multiple-Sample SEM. How to Fool Yourself with SEM. Other Horizons.

About the Author :
Rex B. Kline, PhD, is an associate professor of Psychology at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada

Review :
'SEM can be relatively difficult to learn for researchers without a strong grounding in matrix algebra. Kline, however, hits the nail on the head. He perfectly addresses the needs of social psychologists without formal training in mathematical statistics... This book defintiely gives justice to this aspect of SEM. It can be read by any graduate in psychology or even by keen undergraduates interested in exploring new vistas. Yet it will also constitute a surprisingly good read for experienced researchers in search of some refreshing insights in their favourite techniques. Kline has indeed negotiated a real tour de force with this second edition by succeeding in reconciling comprehensiveness and comprehensibility.' - Cedric Gineset, The Psychologist An outstanding introduction to SEM, geared toward the beginner in this area. The relaxed, conversational writing style makes access to this complex material pain-free and easy. The book strikes a perfect balance between easy reading and the presentation of technical detail and technical terms. I recommend this book strongly, and I will use it the next time I teach SEM. - Alexander von Eye, Department of Psychology, Michigan State University An excellent choice... The book strikes a nice balance between the technical and practical aspects of SEM. A particular strength is that the examples include correlations and standard deviations, so that readers can execute the examples using various SEM software. - Fred E. Markowitz, Department of Sociology, Northern Illinois University An extremely important resource for both the theoretical and applied researcher interested in SEM. Dr. Kline's work contains information that is insightful, accurate, and practical. I recommend this book as both a text for graduate-level seminars and a technical resource for research. - Larry Price, College of Education, Texas State University, San Marcos The approach to SEM is wonderful. Difficult concepts and issues are explained in a way that is accessible to those who are not trained as quantitative methodologists. The blend of conceptual and procedural explanations is generally very good, and the discussions and explanations are technically accurate. - Xitao Fan, Curry School of Education, University of Virginia SEM can be relatively difficult to learn for researchers without a strong grounding in matrix algebra. Kline, however, hits the nail on the head. He perfectly addresses the needs of social psychologists without formal training in mathematical statistics. He succeeds in conveying the conceptual complexity of SEM without sacrificing the reader's understanding of the ramifications of the model's assumptions. [...] In fact, he succinctly summarises all you need to know on multiple regression and correlation in one of the first chapters of his book. [...] I was agreeably surprised by Kline's introductio to the topic. Despite having read other publications on SEM ... I nonetheless discovered a lot of interesting new concepts. [...] This textbook covers the full gamut of the different structural models [...] SEMs are a relatively new group of procedures, which has initially become popular for its actual simplicity and intuitive logic. This book defintiely gifvews justice to this aspect of SEM. It can be read by any graduate in psychology or even by keen undergraduates interested in exploring new vistas. Yet it will also constitute a surprisingly good read for experienced researchers in search of some refreshing insights in their favourite techniques. Kline has indeed negotiated a real tour de force with this second edition by succeeding in reconciling comprehensiveness and comprehensibility. - Cedric Gineset, Imperial College, London in The Psychologist, January 2006