1st Edition

Discovering Structural Equation Modeling Using Stata Revised Edition

By Alan C. Acock Copyright 2013
    306 Pages
    by Stata Press

    Discovering Structural Equation Modeling Using Stata, Revised Edition is devoted to Stata’s sem command and all it can do. Learn about its capabilities in the context of confirmatory factor analysis, path analysis, structural equation modeling, longitudinal models, and multiple-group analysis. Each model is presented along with the necessary Stata code, which is parsimonious, powerful, and can be modified to fit a wide variety of models. The datasets used are downloadable, offering a hands-on approach to learning.

    A particularly exciting feature of Stata is the SEM Builder. This graphical interface for structural equation modeling allows you to draw publication-quality path diagrams and fit the models without writing any programming code. When you fit a model with the SEM Builder, Stata automatically generates the complete code that you can save for future use. Use of this unique tool is extensively covered in an appendix and brief examples appear throughout the text.

    Introduction to confirmatory factor analysis
    Introduction
    The "do not even think about it" approach
    The principal component factor analysis approach
    Alpha reliability for our nine-item scale
    Generating a factor score rather than a mean or summative score
    What can CFA add?
    Fitting a CFA model
    Interpreting and presenting CFA results
    Assessing goodness of fit
    A two-factor model
    Parceling
    Extensions and what is next
    Exercises
    Using the SEM Builder to run a CFA

    Using structural equation modeling for path models
    Introduction
    Path model terminology
    A substantive example of a path model
    Estimating a model with correlated residuals
    Auxiliary variables
    Testing equality of coefficients
    A cross-lagged panel design
    Moderation
    Nonrecursive models
    Exercises
    Using the SEM Builder to run path models

    Structural equation modeling
    Introduction
    The classic example of a structural equation model
    Equality constraints
    Programming constraints
    Structural model with formative indicators
    Exercises

    Latent growth curves
    Discovering growth curves
    A simple growth curve model
    Identifying a growth curve model
    An example of a linear latent growth curve
    How can we add time-invariant covariates to our model?
    Explaining the random effects—time-varying covariates
    Constraining variances of error terms to be equal (optional)
    Exercises

    Group comparisons
    Interaction as a traditional approach to multiple-group comparisons
    The range of applications of Stata’s multiple-group comparisons with sem
    A measurement model application
    Multiple-group path analysis
    Multiple-group comparisons of structural equation models
    Exercises

    Epilogue—what now?
    What is next?

    The graphical user interface
    Introduction
    Menus for Windows, Unix, and Mac
    Designing a structural equation model
    Drawing an SEM model
    Fitting a structural equation model
    Postestimation commands
    Clearing preferences and restoring the defaults

    B Entering data from summary statistics

    Biography

    Alan C. Acock is a sociologist and a University Distinguished Professor in the School of Social and Behavioral Health Sciences at Oregon State University. He was also recognized as the Alumni Distinguished Professor based on his work with students. He has published more than 130 articles in leading journals across the social and behavioral sciences, including Structural Equation Modeling, Psychological Bulletin, Multivariate Behavioral Research, Journal of Gerontology, Journal of Adolescence, American Journal of Public Health, American Sociological Review, Journal of Marriage and Family, Social Forces, Educational and Psychological Measurement, Journal of Politics, Prevention Science, and American Journal of Preventive Medicine. He also authored the text A Gentle Introduction to Stata.