This article generalizes linear path analysis (PA) and simultaneous equations models (SiEM) to deal with mixed responses of different types in a recursive or triangular system. An efficient instrumental variable (IV) method for estimating the structural coefficients of a 2-equation partially recursive generalized path analysis (GPA) model and…

This paper discusses the importance of the direct relationship between instructor discourse and learner discourse in the online learning environment during mandatory online discussions. It provides meaningful insights toward pedagogical theory and corresponding instructional practices associated with these two factors: (a) the extent of instructor…

We examined the nature of the temporal relations among the core person variables in the social cognitive model of academic and career choice [Lent, R. W., Brown, S. D., & Hackett, G. (1994). Toward a unifying social cognitive theory of career and academic interest, choice, and performance [Monograph]. "Journal of Vocational Behavior," 45,…

The National Educational Longitudinal Study database was used to examine the educational development of students of low socioeconomic status (SES). A path analysis was conducted to determine the effects of student background, psychological, and behavioral variables on postsecondary educational attainment of low-SES students. The results show that…

Current research and theory suggest that the healthy path of autonomy development involves gradual negotiation of adolescents' independence "within" a context of continued family connection. This theory-generating study examined the role that adolescents' participation in youth programs plays in these adolescent-parent negotiations. Qualitative…

A hypothetical model was formulated to explore factors that influenced academic and clinical achievement for undergraduate nursing students. Sixteen latent variables were considered including the students' background, gender, type of first language, age, their previous successes with their undergraduate nursing studies and status given for…

According to self-determination theory, when teachers establish an autonomy supportive climate in the classroom, students demonstrate high levels of self-determination and are intrinsically motivated. The aim of this study was to identify factors leading teachers (N=336) to report that they create such a climate. We conducted a path analysis in…

Career paths and transition services were investigated for students with disabilities who were exiting special education for comparison with two models of transition developed by Siegel (1998) and Greene (2003). Teachers and parent-mentors from 52 local education agencies (LEAs) conducted a record review and an exit interview of 741 students with…

Given the theoretical complexity of the processes underlying achievement, it is not surprising to find limited investigation of the relationships between maternal employment and adolescent academic performance. The High School and Beyond 1980 sophomores data was used to assess the impact of maternal employment on seven latent variables: number of…

Causal modeling is examined for its heuristic value by describing its use in an introductory course in educational evaluation, and presenting a student-developed model. Subjects included students in either master's programs in statistics or doctoral programs in administration and curriculum. Before preparing an evaluation plan and path analysis,…

Since the development of causal path analysis by Wright, both the standardized and unstandardized procedures in path coefficient estimates have been advocated in the related literature, but the superiority of one technique over the other has not been demonstrated empirically or mathematically. In this study, the sampling properties of both…

Presents a path analytic model that both measures local health system differentiation and explains differences between communities in a causal manner. The policy relevance of this model is discussed. (Author/AM)

Comments on the uses of statistical analysis in social sciences within the context of Freedman's "As Other's See Us: A Case Study in Path Analysis." Points out that there is an unacknowledged gap between statistical principles and the data analysis that social scientists use. (RB)

Examines D. A. Freedman's criticism of path analysis, agreeing with Freedman's criticism of its application to nonexperimental data in the social sciences. Argues that Freedman's overall conclusions, however, are too pessimistic. (RB)

Examined the relationship of depressed mood to role problems and self-concept in married women using a causal model based on path analysis. Wives' perceptions of husbands' evaluations directly affected their depressed mood and mediated the effect of role disagreement on depressed mood. (MCF)