Introduction to Structural Equation Models: (Quantitative Applications in the Social Sciences)

About the Book

Social and behavioral scientists routinely grapple with abstract concepts—like depression, democracy, or organizational culture—that resist simple measurement and often exist within intricate webs of relationships. Introduction to Structural Equation Models by Shawn Bauldry offers a comprehensive and accessible entry point into the world of SEMs, blending statistical rigor with practical application. Designed for graduate students and researchers, this volume guides readers through the process of translating complex theoretical frameworks into testable statistical models, fitting models to data, and evaluating model fit.

The book is structured around the SEM workflow, from model specification and identification to estimation and evaluation, with each chapter building systematically on the last. Readers benefit from a balanced approach: advanced mathematical concepts are paired with concrete, worked examples, and each chapter concludes with suggestions for further reading.

Table of Contents:
About the Authors Preface Series Editor’s Introduction Acknowledgments Chapter 1: Introduction Latent and Observed Variables Multiple Endogenous Variables General Structural Equation Model Statistical Software and Code Outline of Book Further Reading Chapter 2: Model Specification Measurement Model Structural Model *SEMs and DAGs Conclusion Chapter 3: Identification and Estimation Model Identification Estimators Conclusion Chapter 4: Model Evaluation and Modification Overall Model Fit Localized Model Fit Comparative Model Fit Model Modification Conclusion Chapter 5: Mediation Analysis Classical Approach *Counterfactual Approach Sensitivity Analyses Conclusion Chapter 6: Categorical and Limited Endogenous Variables Binary and Ordinal Variables Estimators Model Fit and Parameter Interpretation Generalized Linear Model Framework Conclusion Chapter 7: FinalWords Extensions Pitfalls Appendix: General SEM in Matrix Notation References Index

About the Author :
Shawn Bauldry is a professor in the Department of Sociology at Purdue University. He is co-author, with J. Micah Roos, of Confirmatory Factor Analysis and has published methodological research in sociological and psychological methodology journals, including top-tier journals such as Sociological Methodology, Psychological Methods, and Structural Equation Modeling. His methodological research focuses on the development of structural equation models, particularly measurement models and models for longitudinal data. His substantive research focuses on demographic analyses of aging and health.

Review :
Shawn Bauldry’s Introduction to Structural Equation Models is a clear, comprehensible, and thoughtful guide to SEMs. With relatable examples, balanced coverage of theory and application, and attention to contemporary issues like mediation and categorical outcomes, this book will be invaluable for graduate students and instructors alike. This book is a game changer. Our program evaluation students need to understand SEM to excel, and this book will transform them from timid to eager. The quality of their projects will improve significantly because they will go beyond memorizing jargon to truly comprehending the purpose and process of SEM in applied settings.