ABSTRACT

In this chapter, we continue our journey beyond multiple regression and begin discussing structural equation modeling (SEM). This chapter focuses on the technique of path analysis, which can be considered the simplest form of SEM. Because we used path-type models as a way of displaying and understanding regression models throughout Part 1 of this text, this transition to a formal presentation of path modeling should be a natural extension of our work so far. As you will see, many path analyses can be solved using multiple regression analysis, although we will soon begin using specialized structural equation modeling software for both simple and complex path models.