In recent years the loglinear model has become the dominant form of categorical data analysis as researchers have expanded it into new directions. This book shows researchers the applications of one of these new developments - how uniting ordinary loglinear analysis and latent class analysis into a general loglinear model with latent variables can result in a modified LISREL approach. This modified LISREL model will enable researchers to analyze categorical data in the same way that they have been able to use LISREL to analyze continuous data.

Abstract: Statistical methods covering log-linear models and latent-structure analysis are presented and described for the analysis of qualitative or categorical data to assist the pressing needs of social researchers and others in developing and applying a unified and systematic approach to the analysis of such data. The scope of applications in this approach includes methods for the sociologist examining the relationship between poverty and crime; the educational researcher examining the reliability and validity of a set of test items; the psychometrician developing a new measurement scale; the market researcher analyzing purchase behavior in different market segments; the medical researcher attempting to identify factors associated with various diseases (e.g., breast cancer); and the political scientist examining voter behavior. The methods are applicable to computer programs. (wz).

In this volume, leading researchers examine how latent variables can be incorporated in a variety of data-analysis strategies, such as structural equation modelling, regression analysis, log-linear modelling and prediction analysis. The contributors also discuss how latent variables analysis can be applied in developmental psychology research using methods such as cohort-time of measurement-age analysis, log-linear modelling of behaviour genetics hypothesis and analyses of repeatedly observed state measures. Detailed explanations of computations and software packages are included with each statistical method.

This volume is based on an international conference held at the Institute for Science Education (IPN) in Kiel in August 1985. The IPN is a national research institute for science education of the Federal Republic of Germany associated with the University of Kiel. The aim of this conference-to treat latent trait and latent class models under comparative points of view as well as under application aspects-was realized in many stimulating contributions and very different ways. We asked the authors of these papers to work out their contributions for publication here, not only because many of the papers present new material, but also because the time is ripe for a comprehen sive volume, working up the widespread literature of the past ten years in this field. We have tried to compile a volume that will be of interest to statistically oriented researchers in a variety of disciplines, including psychology, sociology, education, political science, epidemiology, and the like. Although the chapters assume a reasonably high level of methodo logical sophistication, we hope that the book will find its way into advanced courses in the above fields. We are grateful to the IPN for organizing the conference, to our contributors for their untiring efforts in revising their chapters for publication, and to the staff of Plenum Publishing Corporation for helping to make this book a reality.