Department of Statistics Seminar
North Carolina State University

presents

Melanie M. Wall

Iowa State University

"On Nonlinear Latent Variable Analysis"

ABSTRACT

Latent variable modeling is a widely used statistical method in medical, social, and behavioral sciences. Structural equation analysis using latent variables is appealing and useful in applications where theoretical concepts cannot be measured directly, or where a measurement problem is involved. This talk addresses two statistical topics that are underdeveloped in the current use of latent variable analysis. One topic which has been largely ignored is the development of diagnostic methods for examining data and model fit. Here, graphical procedures for examining the nature of departure from the fitted structural model are proposed. Another topic of practical interest deals with possible nonlinear relationships among latent variables. The latent nonlinearity has been recognized as an important problem in social science applications. This talk introduces procedures for fitting nonlinear structural equation models. Statistical properties of the model fitting techniques and associated parameter estimators are discussed in terms of asymptotic theory and numerical study.

Tuesday, February 17, 1998

8:00 - 9:00 am

124 Dabney Hall

Refreshments will be served in 124 Dabney Hall at 7:45.