This is a practical introduction to multilevel analysis, written for non-mathematicians.

This practical introduction helps readers apply multilevel techniques to their research. Noted as an accessible introduction, the book also includes advanced extensions, making it useful as both an introduction and as a reference to students, researchers, and methodologists. Basic models and examples are discussed in non-technical terms with an emphasis on understanding the methodological and statistical issues involved in using these models. The estimation and interpretation of multilevel models is demonstrated using realistic examples from various disciplines. For example, readers will find data sets on stress in hospitals, GPA scores, survey responses, street safety, epilepsy, divorce, and sociometric scores, to name a few. The data sets are available on the website in SPSS, HLM, MLwiN, LISREL and/or Mplus files. Readers are introduced to both the multilevel regression model and multilevel structural models. Highlights of the second edition include: Two new chapters—one on multilevel models for ordinal and count data (Ch. 7) and another on multilevel survival analysis (Ch. 8). Thoroughly updated chapters on multilevel structural equation modeling that reflect the enormous technical progress of the last few years. The addition of some simpler examples to help the novice, whilst the more complex examples that combine more than one problem have been retained. A new section on multivariate meta-analysis (Ch. 11). Expanded discussions of covariance structures across time and analyzing longitudinal data where no trend is expected. Expanded chapter on the logistic model for dichotomous data and proportions with new estimation methods. An updated website at http://www.joophox.net/ with data sets for all the text examples and up-to-date screen shots and PowerPoint slides for instructors. Ideal for introductory courses on multilevel modeling and/or ones that introduce this topic in some detail taught in a variety of disciplines including: psychology, education, sociology, the health sciences, and business. The advanced extensions also make this a favorite resource for researchers and methodologists in these disciplines. A basic understanding of ANOVA and multiple regression is assumed. The section on multilevel structural equation models assumes a basic understanding of SEM.

This book provides a uniquely accessible introduction to multilevel modeling, a powerful tool for analyzing relationships between an individual-level dependent variable, such as student reading achievement, and individual-level and contextual explanatory factors, such as gender and neighborhood quality. Helping readers build on the statistical techniques they already know, Robert Bickel emphasizes the parallels with more familiar regression models, shows how to do multilevel modeling using SPSS, and demonstrates how to interpret the results. He discusses the strengths and limitations of multilevel analysis and explains specific circumstances in which it offers (or does not offer) methodological advantages over more traditional techniques. Over 300 dataset examples from research on educational achievement, income attainment, voting behavior, and other timely issues are presented in numbered procedural steps.

The Second Edition of this classic text introduces the main methods, techniques, and issues involved in carrying out multilevel modeling and analysis. Snijders and Boskers’ book is an applied, authoritative, and accessible introduction to the topic, providing readers with a clear conceptual and practical understanding of all the main issues involved in designing multilevel studies and conducting multilevel analysis. This book has been comprehensively revised and updated since the last edition, and now includes guides to modeling using HLM, MLwiN, SAS, Stata including GLLAMM, R, SPSS, Mplus, WinBugs, Latent Gold, and Mix.

Now available in paperback for classroom use!"This comprehensive text provides a rich source of perspectives on theorising about the family for scholars, researchers, and students. Another of the book′s strengths is the emphasis on multimethod approaches in family research. The book covers an impressive range of topics and issues - marital happiness, adjustment of children in divorce marriages, gay marriage, sibling ties, ethnic families of colour, stepfamilies, aggression culture, work and family, religion, and social policy, to name a few. In summary, this superb volume is highly recommended and amply reflects the many contemporary perspectives on the family." --Philip Siebler, Monash University, VictoriaSponsored by the National Council on Family Relations, the Sourcebook of Family Theory and Research is the reference work on theory and methods for family scholars and students around the world. This volume provides a diverse, eclectic, and paradoxically mature approach to theorizing and demonstrates how the development of theory is crucial to the future of family research. The Sourcebook reflects an interactive approach that focuses on the process of theory building and designing research, thereby engaging readers in "doing" theory rather than simply reading about it. An accompanying website offers additional participation and interaction in the process of doing theory and making science. Editors Vern L. Bengtson, Alan C. Acock, Katherine R. Allen, Peggye Dilworth-Anderson, and David M. Klein have brought together a prominent group of diverse contributors ranging in race and ethnicity, age and seniority, and gender and sexual orientation. The Sourcebook begins with a section that sets the context for future family research. The subsequent sections explore changing family patterns, changing family interactions within and across generations, and families and larger social forces. A concluding section discusses issues of teaching family theories and research.Key Features Focuses on the process rather than the outcomes of family theory and research methods Emphasizes the value of multi-methods approaches in family research by integrating theory development with the development of research methods Differs from many other publications on family research by describing the development of new ideas rather than just summarizing existing findings The interactive Web site and the special feature boxes within the chapters engage readers with theory and methodology. Boxed features include Case Studies, Spotlights on Theory, Spotlights on Methods, and a Discussion and Extension sections. Represents a "Who′s Who" of family researchers with contributions from many of the best researchers in the family realm The Sourcebook will be an excellent addition to any academic library. It is an authoritative reference for scholars and researchers in Human Development and Family Studies, Sociology, Social Work, and Psychology. In addition, the Sourcebook can also be used in graduate courses on family theory and methodology.

Multilevel modelling is a data analysis method that is frequently used to investigate hierarchal data structures in educational, behavioural, health, and social sciences disciplines. Multilevel data analysis exploits data structures that cannot be adequately investigated using single-level analytic methods such as multiple regression, path analysis, and structural modelling. This text offers a comprehensive treatment of multilevel models for univariate and multivariate outcomes. It explores their similarities and differences and demonstrates why one model may be more appropriate than another, given the research objectives. New to this edition: An expanded focus on the nature of different types of multilevel data structures (e.g., cross-sectional, longitudinal, cross-classified, etc.) for addressing specific research goals; Varied modelling methods for examining longitudinal data including random-effect and fixed-effect approaches; Expanded coverage illustrating different model-building sequences and how to use results to identify possible model improvements; An expanded set of applied examples used throughout the text; Use of four different software packages (i.e., Mplus, R, SPSS, Stata), with selected examples of model-building input files included in the chapter appendices and a more complete set of files available online. This is an ideal text for graduate courses on multilevel, longitudinal, latent variable modelling, multivariate statistics, or advanced quantitative techniques taught in psychology, business, education, health, and sociology. Recommended prerequisites are introductory univariate and multivariate statistics.

The use of Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods for estimating hierarchical models involves complex data structures and is often described as a revolutionary development. An intermediate-level treatment of Bayesian hierarchical models and their applications, Applied Bayesian Hierarchical Methods demonstrates the advantages of a Bayesian approach

Structural equation modeling (SEM) is becoming the central and one of the most popular analytical tools in the social sciences. Many classical and modern statistical techniques such as regression analysis, path analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and models with both measurement and structural components have been shown to fall under the umbrella of SEM. Thus, the flexibility of SEM makes it applicable to many research designs, including experimental and non-experimental data, cross-sectional and longitudinal data, and multiple-group and multilevel data. In this eBook, you will find 19 cutting-edge papers from the Research Topic: Recent Advancements in Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). These 19 papers cover a wide variety of topics related to SEM, including: (a) analysis of different types of data (from cross-sectional data with floor effects to complex survey data and longitudinal data); (b) measurement-related issues (from the development of new scale to the evaluation of person fit and new ways to test measurement invariance); and (c) technical advancement and software development. We hope that the readers will gain new perspectives and be able to apply some of the new techniques and models discussed in these 19 papers.

This book provides accessible treatment to state-of-the-art approaches to analyzing longitudinal studies. Comprehensive coverage of the most popular analysis tools allows readers to pick and choose the techniques that best fit their research. The analyses are illustrated with examples from major longitudinal data sets including practical information about their content and design. Illustrations from popular software packages offer tips on how to interpret the results. Each chapter features suggested readings for additional study and a list of articles that further illustrate how to implement the analysis and report the results. Syntax examples for several software packages for each of the chapter examples are provided at www.psypress.com/longitudinal-data-analysis. Although many of the examples address health or social science questions related to aging, readers from other disciplines will find the analyses relevant to their work. In addition to demonstrating statistical analysis of longitudinal data, the book shows how to interpret and analyze the results within the context of the research design. The methods covered in this book are applicable to a range of applied problems including short- to long-term longitudinal studies using a range of sample sizes. The book provides non-technical, practical introductions to the concepts and issues relevant to longitudinal analysis. Topics include use of publicly available data sets, weighting and adjusting for complex sampling designs with longitudinal studies, missing data and attrition, measurement issues related to longitudinal research, the use of ANOVA and regression for average change over time, mediation analysis, growth curve models, basic and advanced structural equation models, and survival analysis. An ideal supplement for graduate level courses on data analysis and/or longitudinal modeling taught in psychology, gerontology, public health, human development, family studies, medicine, sociology, social work, and other behavioral, social, and health sciences, this multidisciplinary book will also appeal to researchers in these fields.

This book takes a fresh look at applying regression analysis in the behavioural sciences by introducing the reader to regression analysis through a simple model-building approach. The authors start with the basics and begin by re-visiting the mean, and the standard deviation, with which most readers will already be familiar, and show that they can be thought of a least squares model. The book then shows that this least squares model is actually a special case of a regression analysis and can be extended to deal with first one, and then more than one independent variable. Extending the model from the mean to a regression analysis provides a powerful, but simple, way of thinking about what students believe are the more complex aspects of regression analysis. The authors gradually extend the model to include aspects of regression analysis such as non-linear regression, logistic regression, and moderator and mediator analysis. These approaches are often presented in terms that are too mathematical for non-statistically inclined students to deal with. Throughout the book maintains a conceptual, non-mathematical focus. Most equations are placed in an appendix, where a detailed explanation is given, to avoid disrupting the flow of the main text. This book will be indispensable for anyone using regression and correlation from undergraduates doing projects to postgraduate and researchers.