Structural Equation Modeling Texts: A Primer for the Beginner

Abstract

Many multivariate statistical techniques that previously appeared prohibitive to the applied researcher are now becoming increasingly accessible given the advances and user-friendly nature of the graphic interfaces associated with many software applications. Structural equation modeling (SEM) is one such technique that has seen an exponential growth in its development and usage. However, up to less than a decade ago, most of the texts devoted to SEM were relatively complex, with a sound foundation in matrix algebra necessitated. However, there has been a spate of introductory texts that have inundated the marketplace recently, each with their own emphasis (e.g., type of software) and philosophy. The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of the various introductory texts, some of which are software specific and some that are more general. Also, for those who have gained more than a cursory familiarity with SEM, a brief review of more advanced texts is provided.