Sage Publications Introducing LISREL: A Guide for the Uninitiated: 1 (Introducing Statistical Methods series)

`If you encounter a research student for whom the very word LISREL induces feelings of fear, quietly recommend that they read this book. They will thank you for it. With increasingly user-friendly versions of LISREL being released and guide books such as this published, LISREL really should be accessible to all′ - European Journal of Marketing Emphasizing substantive issues rather than intricate statistical details, this book provides a comprehensive introduction to LISREL for structural equation modeling (SEM) using a non-technical, user-oriented approach that. The emphasis is on: - exposing the reader to the major steps associated with the formulation and testing of a model under the LISREL framework - describing the key decisions associated with each step - highlighting potential problems and limitations associated with LISREL modeling - assisting the interpretation of LISREL input and output files. The overall aim is to provide a critical understanding of what is really involved in LISREL modeling and sensitize the reader against `mechanically′ fitting or modifying models. The entire range of decisions associated with the practical application of the LISREL program is covered in a user-friendly fashion. Concrete examples are used throughout to illustrate issues relating to model conceptualization, specification, identification, estimation, evaluation, modification, and cross-validation and illustrated with actual program output. The program is made much more accessible by adopting the more user-friendly SIMPLIS command language for preparing input files. Although primarily aimed at beginning users, readers are directed to further reading together with a comprehensive bibliography for the more advanced user. Review `This is a good book because it does what it says on the tin, providing the uninitiated with an introduction to LISREL of quite exceptional clarity, but does so without patronising its readersor shying away from the fact that LISREL involves some fairly demanding statistics and that its successful application requires a rigorous approach to model formulation′ - International Journal of Market Research About the Author Adamantios Diamantopoulos joined the University of Vienna in February 2004 from Loughborough University Business School, UK, where he held the Chair of Marketing and Business Research. He was previously Professor of International Marketing at the European Business Management School, University of Wales Swansea, where he headed the Marketing Group. During 1996-1999 he also held the Nestlé Visiting Research Professorship of Consumer Marketing at Lund University, Sweden. Other past academic posts include full-time appointments at the University of Edinburgh and the University of Strathclyde, and Visiting Professorships at the University of Miami (USA), Vienna University of Economics and Business (Austria), Université Robert Schuman (France), Dortmund University (Germany), University of Bern (Switzerland), Athens Laboratory of Business Administration (Greece) and University of Leeds (UK). He has taught at fifteen university institutions in the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Greece, Slovenia and the USA and has collaborated with several international companies. In addition to his Chair at the University of Vienna, he currently holds a Visiting Research Professorship at Loughborough University, UK. He is also a visiting Professor at the Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. He holds a BA and MSc degree from Heriot-Watt University, a PhD degree from the University of Strathclyde and a DLitt degree from Loughborough University. In 2000, he was elected Fellow of the British Academy of Management. Judy A. Siguaw is the Founding Dean of ACTE partner organization the Cornell-Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management. Holding the position of Professor of Marketing in the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell Un