An easy to follow introduction to principal component analysis, factor analysis, structural equation modeling, and path analysis. The author's explanations will carry you if you are new to either SAS or statistics. A very friendly introduction that walks you through every step and explains its limitations, and what references to seek for more complex modeling. There are many options that were not covered (cf. some 220 pages on PROC CALIS in the SAS/STAT 9.2 User's Guide). Standard output was thoroughly explained.

Despite its size, those familiar with statistical modeling and SAS will be able to zoom through this. I would recommend this book to people who want an easy introduction to SEM who do not use SAS with the caveat that learning how to encode your models and interpret results in your software is a big task.

This does not cover the derivation or distributional basis of these models or tests which you should be somewhat familiar with to responsibly carry them out in practice. Simple, unidirectional, cross-section models only; no nonrecursive, feedback, or time-series models.

All in all an excellent book that would enable you to carry out path analysis with latent variables on simple models. ( )