Introduction to Structural Equation Models prepares the reader to understand the recent sociological literature on the use of structural equation models in research, and discusses methodological questions pertaining to such models. The material in first seven chapters is almost entirely standard, with the remaining four introducing progressively more open-ended issues, seducing the reader into beginning to think for himself about the properties of models or even to suggest problems that may intrigue the advanced student.

Preface. Preliminaries. Correlation and Causation. Recursive Models. Structural Coefficients in Recursive Models. A Just-Identified Nonrecursive Model. Underidentification and the Problem of Identification. Overidentification in a Nonrecursive Model. Specification Error. Measurement Error, Unobserved Variables. Multiple Indicators. Form and Substance of (Sociological) Models. References. Author Index. Subject Index.