Multilevel Structural Equation Modeling

Multilevel Structural Equation Modeling, by Silva, Bosancianu, and Littvay focuses on the confluence of two fields in applied statistics: multilevel modeling (MLM) and structural equation modeling (SEM). Multilevel structural equation modeling (MSEM) extends SEM techniques into multilevel data, while also allowing for the testing of more complex relationships than one dependent variable and multiple independent variables, and permits the inclusion of latent variables into multilevel models. While these two fields are closely related, there have been very few works demonstrating how they can be combined; those that exist are isolated chapters in advanced handbooks or short sections in textbooks. Additionally, much of the existing work is highly technical. Multilevel Structural Equation Modeling serves as a minimally technical overview of multilevel structural equation modeling (MSEM) for applied researchers and advanced graduate students in in the social sciences. The authors predict a growth in this area, fueled by both data availability and also the availability of new and improved software to run these models. The authors' applied approach, combined with a graphical presentation style and minimal reliance on complex matrix algebra should guarantee that the volume will appeal to social science graduate students wanting to utilize such models.