 | Summaries and Customer Reviews are supplied by Amazon.com | Analysis of Ordinal Categorical Data Alan Agresti Statistical Science Now has its first coordinated manual of methods for analyzing ordered categorical data. This book discusses specialized models that, unlike standard methods underlying nominal categorical data, efficiently use the information on ordering. It begins with an introduction to basic descriptive and inferential methods for categorical data, and then gives thorough coverage of the most current developments, such as loglinear and logit models for ordinal data. Special emphasis is placed on interpretation and application of methods and contains an integrated comparison of the available strategies for analyzing ordinal data. This is a case study work with illuminating examples taken from across the wide spectrum of ordinal categorical applications. 1984 (0 471-89055-3) 287 pp. Regression Diagnostics Identifying Influential Data and Sources of Collinearity David A. Belsley, Edwin Kuh and Roy E. Welsch This book provides the practicing statistician and econometrician with new tools for assessing the quality and reliability of regression estimates. Diagnostic techniques are developed that aid in the systematic location of data points that are either unusual or inordinately influential; measure the presence and intensity of collinear relations among the regression data and help to identify the variables involved in each; and pinpoint the estimated coefficients that are potentially most adversely affected. The primary emphasis of these contributions is on diagnostics, but suggestions for remedial action are given and illustrated. 1980 (0 471-05856-4) 292 pp. Applied Regression Analysis Second Edition Norman Draper and Harry Smith Featuring a significant expansion of material reflecting recent advances, here is a complete and up-to-date introduction to the fundamentals of regression analysis, focusing on understanding the latest concepts and applications of these methods. The authors thoroughly explore the fitting and checking of both linear and nonlinear regression models, using small or large data sets and pocket or high-speed computing equipment. Features added to this Second Edition include the practical implications of linear regression; the Durbin-Watson test for serial correlation; families of transformations; inverse, ridge, latent root and robust regression; and nonlinear growth models. Includes many new exercises and worked examples. 1981 (0 471-02995-5) 709 pp. |
Average Customer Rating:   Troublesome references The editor of this book, clearly was an amatoeur. He/she designed
the book such as only chapters are numbered (sic!), but sections or
subsections not (but equations are numbered fortunatelly)
In result the (often used) references point to the whole chapters, while
sections/subsections would be much better. So Bollen says some stuff
was described in more details in chapter so-and-so, and the reader
have to waste the time searching through 50 pages or so...
Shame on Wiley... detailed coverage of an every growing topic in applied statistics The software Lisrel was developed to model and analyze data using structural equation models which involve the introduction of latent variables. Although this topic has historically been most commonly used in the social sciences including psychology and sociology, it is finding a wide range of applications as statisticians encounter more and more problems where it is appropriate to use latent variables.
Bollen provides a thorough treatment of the topic that has advanced some since the publication of the book . This is still the best source for a detailed account of the methods. Bengt Meuthen at UCLA was one of the pioneers of the methodology and his books and papers provide good additional sources for the reader who wants to understand the theory and the software tools. This book is close to be perfect. Respect! Bollen's book about structural equations is exceptionally good. Bollen does not only write and explain very well and thorough but he also is able to communicate a difficult subject. I would guess that even people form rather non-mathematical fields will find this book great because he really tries to explain even small technical details frequently neglected.
With great book I mean not only, that it provides you with insights about structural equations but also with enough practical knowledge to use this information in your own problems. This is in contrast to, e.g., Pearl's book about causality.
Yes, this book is already same years old, but I would nevertheless say it is the best book available about structural equations. The progress made in the last decade is more computational rather than a conceptual.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone who has at least some basic math skills or decides now to be more interested in. This should be enough to start reading. Two thumbs up!! Bollen excels at a very difficult task This book sticks out like a beautiful flower in a bed of weeds.
There is a dearth of really good books available to sociologists interested in deepening their knowledge of statistics in general, and structural equation modelling in particular. Most of the books I encounter are either too simple or too difficult. There is either too little, or too much detail. I suppose that in general writers cater to two types of statistics users: the statisticians, and those applied users who prefer the "black box" approach in running their regressions. A good example of a bad statistics books for sociologists: the often-cited econometrics textbooks that read like dictionaries by providing lists of formulas rather than integrating knowledge by carefully explaining general concepts.
And then there is Bollen's 1989 SEM book. Almost a class by itself. He achieves a balance between comprehensiveness and comprehensibility ideal for the sociologist. Bollen excels at the task of explaining statistics. If someone is thinking of taking a first class in SEM, I would recommend getting a copy of the syllabus. If the syllabus doesn't include this book, I would recommend that the person consider dropping the class and reading this book if at all possible.
Someone needs to convince Bollen to write books about every statistics topic he has mastered, and then to learn other topics and write books on those. Bollen is a resource that should not be missed. a must in SEM I've taken a class in Structural Equations Modelling from Ken Bollen at UNC Chapel Hill. Naturally the book was the main reference for the course, so I went over most of it during the semester. The coverage in classes differed from the book material due to the recent developments, and my impression was that Prof. Bollen planned on writing a second edition of the book (although he is not quite happy about the pricing strategy of Wiley). For many things marked as "currently open problem" in the book, the solution, at least a partial one, have been found in the last 15 years of research in this dynamically developing area. The book is still a compendium of important basic results, and will be one for at least another 5 to 10 years, until another modern and rigorous treatment appears in press; so far this is the best reference I've seen. |  |
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