Structural Equation Modeling and Natural Systems - Grace, James

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Biographie:
James B. 'Jim' Grace obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from Presbyterian College, his Master's of Science degree from Clemson University, and his Ph.D. from Michigan State University. He served on the faculty at the University of Arkansas and later at Louisiana State University, where he reached the rank of Professor. He has, for the past several years, worked at the US Geological Survey's National Wetlands Research Center in Lafayette, Louisiana, USA where he is a Senior Research Ecologist. He holds an Adjunct Professorship at the University of Louisiana in the Biology Department.

Sommaire:
Part I. A Beginning: 1. Introduction; 2. Illustration of structural equation modeling with observed variables: the temporal dynamics of a plant-insect interaction; Part II. Basic Principles of Structural Equation Modeling: 3. The anatomy of structural equation models I: overview and observed variable models; 4. The anatomy of structural equation models II: latent variables; 5. Principles of estimation and model assessment; Part III. Advanced Topics: 6. Composite variables and their use in representing concepts; 7. Additional techniques for complex situations; Part IV. Applications and Illustrations: 8. Model evaluation in practice; 9. Multivariate experiments; 10. The systematic application of a multivariate perspective to understanding plant diversity patterns in ecological communities; 11. Cautions and recommendations for the application of SEM; Part V. The Implications of Structural Equation Modeling for the Study of Natural Systems: 12. How can structural equation modeling contribute to the advancement of the natural sciences?; 13. Tuning in to nature's symphony: frontiers in the study of multivariate relations; Appendix I. Example analyses; References.