Over the past few decades the role of statistics in the evaluation and interpretation of clinical data has become of paramount importance. As a result the standards of clinical study design, conduct and interpretation have undergone substantial improvement. This book describes various ways of approaching and interpreting the data produced by clinical trial studies, with a special emphasis on the essential role that biostatistics plays in clinical trials. The book includes 18 carefully reviewed chapters on recent developments in clinical trials and their statistical evaluation, with each chapter providing one or more examples involving typical data sets, enabling readers to apply the proposed procedures. The chapters employ a uniform style to enhance comparability between the approaches.

After Karl JAreskog's first presentation in 1970, Structural Equation Modelling or SEM has become a main statistical tool in many fields of science. It is the standard approach of factor analytic and causal modelling in such diverse fields as sociology, education, psychology, economics, management and medical sciences. In addition to an extension of its application area, Structural Equation Modelling also features a continual renewal and extension of its theoretical background. The sixteen contributions to this book, written by experts from many countries, present important new developments and interesting applications in Structural Equation Modelling. The book addresses methodologists and statisticians professionally dealing with Structural Equation Modelling to enhance their knowledge of the type of models covered and the technical problems involved in their formulation. In addition, the book offers applied researchers new ideas about the use of Structural Equation Modeling in solving their problems. Finally, methodologists, mathematicians and applied researchers alike are addressed, who simply want to update their knowledge of recent approaches in data analysis and mathematical modelling.

This new volume reviews longitudinal models and analysis procedures for use in the behavioral and social sciences. Written by distinguished experts in the field, the book presents the most current approaches and theories, and the technical problems that may be encountered along the way. Readers will find new ideas about the use of longitudinal analysis in solving problems that arise due to the specific nature of the research design and the data available. Divided into two parts, Longitudinal Models in the Behavioral and Related Sciences opens with the latest theoretical developments. In particular, the book addresses situations that arise due to the categorical nature of the data, issues related to state space modeling, and potential problems that may arise from network analysis and/or growth-curve data. The focus of part two is on the application of longitudinal modeling in a variety of disciplines. The book features applications such as heterogeneity on the patterns of a firm's profit, on house prices, and on delinquent behavior; non-linearity in growth in assessing cognitive aging; measurement error issues in longitudinal research; and distance association for the analysis of change. Part two clearly demonstrates the caution that should be taken when applying longitudinal modeling as well as in the interpretation of the results. Longitudinal Models in the Behavioral and Related Sciences is ideal for advanced students and researchers in psychology, sociology, education, economics, management, medicine, and neuroscience.

This new volume reviews longitudinal models and analysis procedures for use in the behavioral and social sciences. Written by distinguished experts in the field, the book presents the most current approaches and theories, and the technical problems that may be encountered along the way. Readers will find new ideas about the use of longitudinal analysis in solving problems that arise due to the specific nature of the research design and the data available. Divided into two parts, Longitudinal Models in the Behavioral and Related Sciences opens with the latest theoretical developments. In particular, the book addresses situations that arise due to the categorical nature of the data, issues related to state space modeling, and potential problems that may arise from network analysis and/or growth-curve data. The focus of part two is on the application of longitudinal modeling in a variety of disciplines. The book features applications such as heterogeneity on the patterns of a firm's profit, on house prices, and on delinquent behavior; non-linearity in growth in assessing cognitive aging; measurement error issues in longitudinal research; and distance association for the analysis of change. Part two clearly demonstrates the caution that should be taken when applying longitudinal modeling as well as in the interpretation of the results. Longitudinal Models in the Behavioral and Related Sciences is ideal for advanced students and researchers in psychology, sociology, education, economics, management, medicine, and neuroscience.

After Karl Joreskog's first presentation in 1970, Structural Equation Modelling or SEM has become a main statistical tool in many fields of science. It is the standard approach of factor analytic and causal modelling in such diverse fields as sociology, education, psychology, economics, management and medical sciences. In addition to an extension of its application area, Structural Equation Modelling also features a continual renewal and extension of its theoretical background. The sixteen contributions to this book, written by experts from many countries, present important new developments and interesting applications in Structural Equation Modelling. The book addresses methodologists and statisticians professionally dealing with Structural Equation Modelling to enhance their knowledge of the type of models covered and the technical problems involved in their formulation. In addition, the book offers applied researchers new ideas about the use of Structural Equation Modeling in solving their problems. Finally, methodologists, mathematicians and applied researchers alike are addressed, who simply want to update their knowledge of recent approaches in data analysis and mathematical modelling."