Wise social scientists will make a beeline for the 2nd edition of David Kaplan s classic text. An essential read for students and professionals who want to move beyond cookbook presentations with checklists towards deeper understanding and thoughtful application.

Judith D. Singer, "Harvard"" University"

Using detailed, empirical examples, Structural Equation Modeling, Second Edition, presents a thorough and sophisticated treatment of the foundations of structural equation modeling (SEM). It also demonstrates how SEM can provide a unique lens on the problems social and behavioral scientists face.

Thoroughly revised to address recent developments, this new edition includes:

The foundations of SEM, including path analysis and factor analysis.Traditional SEM for continuous latent variables, including latent growth curve modeling for continuous growth factors, and issues in testing assumptions of SEM.SEM for categorical latent variables, including latent class analysis, Markov models (latent and mixed latent), and growth mixture modeling.Philosophical issues in the practice of SEM, including the problem of causal inference.

Intended Audience

While the book assumes some knowledge and background in statistics, it guides readers through the foundations and critical assumptions of SEM in an easy-to-understand manner.

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Click 'Additional Materials' for downloadable samples "The 24 chapters in this Handbook span a wide range of topics, presenting the latest quantitative developments in scaling theory, measurement, categorical data analysis, multilevel models, latent variable models, and foundational issues. Each chapter reviews the historical context for the topic and then describes current work, including illustrative examples where appropriate. The level of presentation throughout the book is detailed enough to convey genuine understanding without overwhelming the reader with technical material. Ample references are given for readers who wish to pursue topics in more detail. The book will appeal to both researchers who wish to update their knowledge of specific quantitative methods, and students who wish to have an integrated survey of state-of- the-art quantitative methods." -Roger E. Millsap, Arizona State University "This handbook discusses important methodological tools and topics in quantitative methodology in easy to understand language. It is an exhaustive review of past and recent advances in each topic combined with a detailed discussion of examples and graphical illustrations. It will be an essential reference for social science researchers as an introduction to methods and quantitative concepts of great use." -Irini Moustaki, London School of Economics, U.K. "David Kaplan and SAGE Publications are to be congratulated on the development of a new handbook on quantitative methods for the social sciences. The Handbook is more than a set of methodologies, it is a journey. This methodological journey allows the reader to experience scaling, tests and measurement, and statistical methodologies applied to categorical, multilevel, and latent variables. The journey concludes with a number of philosophical issues of interest to researchers in the social sciences. The new Handbook is a must purchase." -Neil H. Timm, University of Pittsburgh The SAGE Handbook of Quantitative Methodology for the Social Sciences is the definitive reference for teachers, students, and researchers of quantitative methods in the social sciences, as it provides a comprehensive overview of the major techniques used in the field. The contributors, top methodologists and researchers, have written about their areas of expertise in ways that convey the utility of their respective techniques, but, where appropriate, they also offer a fair critique of these techniques. Relevance to real-world problems in the social sciences is an essential ingredient of each chapter and makes this an invaluable resource. The handbook is divided into six sections: * Scaling * Testing and Measurement * Models for Categorical Data * Models for Multilevel Data * Models for Latent Variables * Foundational Issues These sections, comprising twenty-four chapters, address topics in scaling and measurement, advances in statistical modeling methodologies, and broad philosophical themes and foundational issues that transcend many of the quantitative methodologies covered in the book. The Handbook is indispensable to the teaching, study, and research of quantitative methods and will enable readers to develop a level of understanding of statistical techniques commensurate with the most recent, state-of-the-art, theoretical developments in the field. It provides the foundations for quantitative research, with cutting-edge insights on the effectiveness of each method, depending on the data and distinct research situation.