A general introduction to nonexperimental research methods is presented, with a specific focus on path analysis. It is argued that school psychologists often engage in nonexperimental research, but that the methods used are often inappropriate. (TJH)

School interventions are often based on the assumption that such variables as self-concept and locus of control should have a meaningful impact on achievement. Yet research support for such influence is inconsistent. Because this inconsistency may be due to methodological problems, a study was conducted which used path analysis to determine the…

Time spent on homework was found to be important in determining student grades. Further, it was suggested that increased homework demands and more stringent grading standards might increase both student achievement and confidence in schools. (Author/AL)

A set of High School and Beyond data was used to study the effect of three variables on academic achievement. Homework had a positive effect, TV a negative, and parental involvement no direct effect on seniors' achievement scores, but influenced the amount of time students spent on homework. (Author/JAZ)

The use of path analysis to study the manipulable influences on school learning is illustrated. The path model that was developed tests the importance of various influences on the achievement of high school students using data from a large longitudinal set, the High School and Beyond Study. (SLD)

This study concerns the influence of native language instruction in grades one through six on bilingual Hispanics' high school achievement. A nationally representative sample of 58,000 high school sophomores and seniors (the High School and Beyond data set) was used as the data source. Path analytic techniques were used to determine the magnitude…

High School and Beyond data set and path analytic techniques were used to compare Black and Hispanic high school seniors' achievement in public and in Catholic schools. When better ability measures were added to the causal models the apparent effect of Catholic schooling on minority achievement was greatly reduced. (Author/BS)

The extent of the direct and indirect influence of quality of instruction, motivation, quantity of academic coursework, and homework on academic achievement was investigated using path analysis. Data from the High School and Beyond Study of 28,051 high school seniors were used. (SLD)

This overview of nonexperimental causal research methods focuses on latent variable structural equation modeling using the LISREL computer program. An extended example in special education is used to present LISREL as an extension of structural equations analysis (path analysis) and as a method of reducing the effects of error in research.…

Causal path analysis was used to determine the direct and indirect influences of intellectual ability, quality of instruction, achievement motivation, quantity of academic coursework, and time spent on homework on high school students' learning, as measured by their grade point averages (GPAs). Other relevant influences on grades were controlled.…