Psychology Press

About the Book

This bestselling text provides a practical guide to the basic concepts of structural equation modeling (SEM) and the AMOS program (Version 17/forthcoming Version 18). The author "walks" the reader through a variety of SEM applications based on actual data taken from her own research. Noted for its easy-to-follow, non-mathematical language, this book is written for the novice SEM user. In each chapter, the author walks the reader through all steps involved in testing the SEM model presented. Each application is accompanied by:

• an explanation of the issues addressed
• a schematic representation of the hypothesized and posthoc models tested
• AMOS input and output (graphical and textual) with accompanying interpretation and explanation
• Use and function of the many icons in the AMOS toolbar, together with their related pull-down menus
• The data upon which the model was based, as well as the related published reference

With over 50% new material, highlights of the new edition include:

• All new screen shots so readers can easily follow along with the latest version of the AMOS program (Version 17/forthcoming Version 18)
• All data files now available at www.psypress.com/sem-with-amos
• Application of a multitrait-mulitimethod model, latent growth curve model, and second-order model based on categorical data
• All applications based on the most commonly used graphical interface
• The automated multi-group approach to testing for equivalence

Divided into 5 major sections, the first two chapters introduce readers to the fundamental concepts of SEM and the basic components of the AMOS program. Section 2 presents four applications that focus on single-group analyses; these include first- and second order CFA models, as well as a full SEM model. Multiple-group applications are presented in Section 3 and illustrate tests for equivalence pertinent to both CFA and full SEM models, as well as tests for latent mean differences. Section 4 walks readers through applications of the multitrait-mutimethod and latent growth curve models. The final section  discusses two critically important issues - non-normal data and missing (incomplete) data, and presents two applications capable of addressing these issues.

Intended for researchers, practitioners, and students who wish to use SEM and AMOS in their work, this best-selling book is the one of choice in academic as well as a wide variety of other work environments around the globe. An ideal resource for courses on SEM taught at the graduate level in psychology, education, business, and other applied social and health sciences and/or as a supplement in courses on applied statistics, multivariate statistics, statistics II, intermediate or advanced statistics, and/or research design taught in these same departments. Appropriate for those with limited or no previous exposure to SEM, a prerequisite of basic statistics through regression analysis is recommended. The book serves as an invaluable companion to the AMOS Manual as well as to any SEM textbook.