The Analysis and Interpretation of Multivariate Data for Social Scientists (Chapman & Hall/CRC Statistics in the Social and Behavioral Sciences) - Softcover

Galbraith, J.I.; Moustaki, Irini; Bartholomew, David J.; Steele, Fiona

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1584882956 ISBN 13: 9781584882954

Publisher: Chapman and Hall/CRC, 2002

Synopsis

Multivariate analysis is an important tool for social researchers, but the subject is broad and can be quite technical for those with limited mathematical and statistical backgrounds. To effectively acquire the tools and techniques they need to interpret multivariate data, social science students need clear explanations, a minimum of mathematical detail, and a wide range of exercises and worked examples.

Classroom tested for more than 10 years, The Analysis and Interpretation of Multivariate Data for Social Scientists describes and illustrates methods of multivariate data analysis important to the social sciences. The authors focus on interpreting the pattern of relationships among many variables rather than establishing causal linkages, and rely heavily on numerical examples, visualization, and on verbal , rather than mathematical exposition. They present methods for categorical variables alongside the more familiar method for continuous variables and place particular emphasis on latent variable techniques.

Ideal for introductory, senior undergraduate and graduate-level courses in multivariate analysis for social science students, this book combines depth of understanding and insight with the practical details of how to carry out and interpret multivariate analyses on real data. It gives them a solid understanding of the most commonly used multivariate methods and the knowledge and tools to implement them.

Datasets, the SPSS syntax and code used in the examples, and software for performing latent variable modelling are available at http://www.mlwin.com/team/aimdss.html>

About this title

Review

"The authors interpret the pattern of relationships among several variables rather than establishing casual linkages, and place particular emphasis on latent variable techniques in their presentation. The authors' easy style makes reading this book a great pleasure. A very useful and interesting book, excellent for researchers and students for analyzing and interpreting multivariate data in social sciences." - CHOICE, September 2002 "This book ...is a good source for learning how to use multivariate methods with data and how to interpret the results." -Technometrics, 2003 .."an exceptionally clear account of the alternative methods available... commendable level of clarity and user-friendliness...with a wide range of worked examples. This book would provide a valuable addition to the collection of any researcher who uses or plans to use multivariate methods. Although the level is introductory, readers who are familiar with some or all of the techniques discussed will nonetheless find that it delivers new insights into how these methods work and what the results mean. Novices will find an unusually gentle lead-in to what is generally thought of as a difficult area." - ELIZABETH AUSTIN (Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh)

Edition details

• Publisher: Chapman and Hall/CRC
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 1584882956
• ISBN 13: 9781584882954
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 280