A closed-form questionnaire was used to explore the ideas of school students about the composition of air, the causes and consequences of air pollution and the extent to which the students would accept various courses of action to reduce air pollution. Items for the questionnaire were derived from the results of interviews and an earlier open-form…

In his early exposition of path analysis, Duncan (1966) noted that the method "provides a calculus for indirect effects." Despite the interest in indirect causal effects, most users treat them as if they are population parameters and do not test whether they are statistically significant. Sobel (1982) has recently derived the asymptotic…

The purposes of this study are: (1) to demonstrate the superiority of simple ridge regression over ordinary least squares regression through theoretical argument and empirical example; (2) to modify ridge regression through use of the variance normalization criterion; and (3) to demonstrate the superiority of simple ridge regression based on the…

A causal model that explains variations in individual judgements concerning the fairness of equality or inequality, based on a new Index of Evaluated Equality, is proposed. (Author/AM)

Presents and illustrates structural equation modeling (multivariate analysis with latent variables, also called causal modeling or covariance structure analysis), discussing issues and problems related to the use of this methodology, possible applications of structural equation modeling to counseling psychology research, and resources for further…

Response to Freedman's critique of path analysis discusses appropriate ways to represent social processes in numerical form and the use of path analysis to achieve that goal. Discusses two main issues: the selection of variables and whether multiple regression can be used to model social processes. (RB)

Discusses the theoretical aspects of structural modeling rather than its applications. Considers the basic hypothesis in structural modeling and concludes that it can be an effective tool in some research contexts, though not all. (RB)

Suggests that improving the data collected for a study will lead to the development of better models to analyze that data. Also urges researchers to have a more critical attitude toward the literal interpretation of test results. (RB)

The use of structural equation modelling in curriculum evaluation is discussed in two stages: first, a process model for curriculum evaluation from instructional theory is derived; second, the structural equation model derived from the process analysis and its applications to curriculum evaluation are described. (BW)

This study of the relationship of perceived role to satisfaction with a job presents four plausible models based on the variables role accuracy compliance, performance evaluation, and satisfaction. These models are evaluated by path analysis. Compliance and performance evaluation are shown to be important variables mediating the relationship…

Methods for comparing the suitability of alternative models for covariance matrices are examined. A cross-validation procedure is suggested and its properties examined. A series of examples using longitudinal data are examined. (Author/JKS)

Current computer programs for analyzing linear structural models will apparently handle only two types of constraints: fixed parameter and equal parameters. In this paper, a method for imposing several types of inequality of parameter constraints is described. Several examples are presented. (Author/JKS)

Data on reading-disabled and control probands (pairs matched for sex, age, and school district) and their families were subjected to a comprehensive longitudinal-familial path analysis. Covariance matrices were constructed from composite scores for reading performance and for coding and symbol processing speed, and maximum likelihood estimates of…

Canonical correlation analysis is considered to be a general model for bivariate and multivariate statistical methods. Some problems involving assumptions and statistical tests for parameters exist for social science data. A resolution for these problems is presented by treating canonical correlation as a special case of linear structural…

Criteria for factor identification in factor analysis according to J. Algina (1980) are summarized, and a procedure is presented to determine rotationally underidentified factors by adding restrictors and to carry out the rotation for old and new restrictions and in latent path analysis. Two illustrations are presented. (SLD)