Over the past several decades, item response theory (IRT) and item response modeling (IRM) have become increasingly popular in the behavioral, educational, social, business, marketing, clinical, and health sciences. In this book, Raykov and Marcoulides begin with a nontraditional approach to IRT and IRM that is based on their connections to classical test theory, (nonlinear) factor analysis, generalized linear modeling, and logistic regression. Application-oriented discussions follow next. These cover the one-, two-, and three-parameter logistic models, polytomous item response models (with nominal or ordinal items), item and test information functions, instrument construction and development, hybrid models, differential item functioning, and an introduction to multidimensional IRT and IRM. The pertinent analytic and modeling capabilities of Stata are thoroughly discussed, highlighted, and illustrated on empirical examples from behavioral and social research.

Basic Statistics provides an accessible and comprehensive introduction to statistics using the free, state-of-the-art, powerful software program R. This book is designed to both introduce students to key concepts in statistics and to provide simple instructions for using R. This concise book: *Teaches essential concepts in statistics, assuming little background knowledge on the part of the reader *Introduces students to R with as few sub-commands as possible for ease of use *Provides practical examples from the educational, behavioral, and social sciences With clear explanations of statistical processes and step-by-step commands in R, Basic Statistics will appeal to students and professionals across the social and behavioral sciences.

This comprehensive new text introduces readers to the most commonly used multivariate techniques at an introductory, non-technical level. By focusing on the fundamentals, readers are better prepared for more advanced applied pursuits, particularly on topics that are most critical to the behavioral, social, and educational sciences. Analogies between the already familiar univariate statistics and multivariate statistics are emphasized throughout. The authors examine in detail how each multivariate technique can be implemented using SPSS and SAS and Mplus in the book's later chapters. Important assumptions are discussed along the way along with tips for how to deal with pitfalls the reader may encounter. Mathematical formulas are used only in their definitional meaning rather than as elements of formal proofs. A book specific website, www.psypress.com/applied-multivariate-analysis, provides files with all of the data used in the text so readers can replicate the results. The Appendix explains the data files and its variables. The software code (for SAS and Mplus) and the menu option selections for SPSS are also discussed in the book and presented on the website. The book is distinguished by its use of latent variable modeling to address multivariate questions specific to behavioral and social scientists including missing data analysis and longitudinal data modeling. Ideal for graduate and advanced undergraduate students in the behavioral, social, and educational sciences, this book will also appeal to researchers in these disciplines who have limited familiarity with multivariate statistics. Recommended prerequisites include an introductory statistics course with exposure to regressionanalysis and some familiarity with SPSS and SAS.

In this book, authors Tenko Raykov and George A. Marcoulides introduce students to the basics of structural equation modeling (SEM) through a conceptual, nonmathematical approach. For ease of understanding, the few mathematical formulas presented are used in a conceptual or illustrative nature, rather than a computational one. Featuring examples from EQS, LISREL, and Mplus, A First Course in Structural Equation Modeling is an excellent beginner's guide to learning how to set up input files to fit the most commonly used types of structural equation models with these programs. The basic ideas and methods for conducting SEM are independent of any particular software. Highlights of the Second Edition include: * Review of latent change (growth) analysis models at an introductory level * Coverage of the popular Mplus program * Updated examples of LISREL and EQS * Downloadable resources that contains all of the text's LISREL, EQS, and Mplus examples. A First Course in Structural Equation Modeling is intended as an introductory book for students and researchers in psychology, education, business, medicine, and other applied social, behavioral, and health sciences with limited or no previous exposure to SEM. A prerequisite of basic statistics through regression analysis is recommended. The book frequently draws parallels between SEM and regression, making this prior knowledge helpful.

In this book, authors Tenko Raykov and George A. Marcoulides introduce students to the basics of structural equation modeling (SEM) through a conceptual, nonmathematical approach. For ease of understanding, the few mathematical formulas presented are used in a conceptual or illustrative nature, rather than a computational one. Featuring examples from EQS, LISREL, and Mplus, "A First Course in Structural Equation Modeling" is an excellent beginner's guide to learning how to set up input files to fit the most commonly used types of structural equation models with these programs. The basic ideas and methods for conducting SEM are independent of any particular software.
Highlights of the second edition include:
* review of latent change (growth) analysis models at an introductory level;
*coverage of the popular Mplus program;
*updated examples of LISREL and EQS; and
*a CD that contains all of the text's LISREL, EQS, and Mplus examples.
"A First Course in Structural Equation Modeling" is intended as an introductory book for students and researchers in psychology, education, business, medicine, and other applied social, behavioral, and health sciences with limited or no previous exposure to SEM. A prerequisite of basic statistics through regression analysis is recommended. The book frequently draws parallels between SEM and regression, making this prior knowledge helpful.

Basic Statistics provides an accessible and comprehensive introduction to statistics using the free, state-of-the-art, powerful software program R. This book is designed to both introduce students to key concepts in statistics and to provide simple instructions for using R. This concise book: .Teaches essential concepts in statistics, assuming little background knowledge on the part of the reader .Introduces students to R with as few sub-commands as possible for ease of use .Provides practical examples from the educational, behavioral, and social sciences With clear explanations of statistical processes and step-by-step commands in R, Basic Statistics will appeal to students and professionals across the social and behavioral sciences.