Growth Modeling

Growth models are among the core methods for analyzing how and when people change. Discussing both structural equation and multilevel modeling approaches, this book leads readers step by step through applying each model to longitudinal data to answer particular research questions. It demonstrates cutting-edge ways to describe linear and nonlinear change patterns, examine within-person and between-person differences in change, study change in latent variables, identify leading and lagging indicators of change, evaluate co-occurring patterns of change across multiple variables, and more. User-friendly features include real data examples, code (for Mplus or NLMIXED in SAS, and OpenMx or nlme in R), discussion of the output, and interpretation of each model's results. User-Friendly Features *Real, worked-through longitudinal data examples serving as illustrations in each chapter. *Script boxes that provide code for fitting the models to example data and facilitate application to the reader's own data. *"Important Considerations" sections offering caveats, warnings, and recommendations for the use of specific models. *Companion website supplying datasets and syntax for the book's examples, along with additional code in SAS/R for linear mixed-effects modeling.

This book provides a comprehensive introduction to latent variable growth curve modeling (LGM) for analyzing repeated measures. It presents the statistical basis for LGM and its various methodological extensions, including a number of practical examples of its use. It is designed to take advantage of the reader’s familiarity with analysis of variance and structural equation modeling (SEM) in introducing LGM techniques. Sample data, syntax, input and output, are provided for EQS, Amos, LISREL, and Mplus on the book’s CD. Throughout the book, the authors present a variety of LGM techniques that are useful for many different research designs, and numerous figures provide helpful diagrams of the examples. Updated throughout, the second edition features three new chapters—growth modeling with ordered categorical variables, growth mixture modeling, and pooled interrupted time series LGM approaches. Following a new organization, the book now covers the development of the LGM, followed by chapters on multiple-group issues (analyzing growth in multiple populations, accelerated designs, and multi-level longitudinal approaches), and then special topics such as missing data models, LGM power and Monte Carlo estimation, and latent growth interaction models. The model specifications previously included in the appendices are now available on the CD so the reader can more easily adapt the models to their own research. This practical guide is ideal for a wide range of social and behavioral researchers interested in the measurement of change over time, including social, developmental, organizational, educational, consumer, personality and clinical psychologists, sociologists, and quantitative methodologists, as well as for a text on latent variable growth curve modeling or as a supplement for a course on multivariate statistics. A prerequisite of graduate level statistics is recommended.

Forest Growth and Yield Modeling synthesizes current scientific literature and provides insights in how models are constructed. Giving suggestions for future developments, and outlining keys for successful implementation of models the book provides a thorough and up-to-date, single source reference for students, researchers and practitioners requiring a current digest of research and methods in the field. The book describes current modelling approaches for predicting forest growth and yield and explores the components that comprise the various modelling approaches. It provides the reader with the tools for evaluating and calibrating growth and yield models and outlines the steps necessary for developing a forest growth and yield model. Single source reference providing an evaluation and synthesis of current scientific literature Detailed descriptions of example models Covers statistical techniques used in forest model construction Accessible, reader-friendly style

Latent growth curve modeling (LGM)—a special case of confirmatory factor analysis designed to model change over time—is an indispensable and increasingly ubiquitous approach for modeling longitudinal data. This volume introduces LGM techniques to researchers, provides easy-to-follow, didactic examples of several common growth modeling approaches, and highlights recent advancements regarding the treatment of missing data, parameter estimation, and model fit. The book covers the basic linear LGM, and builds from there to describe more complex functional forms (e.g., polynomial latent curves), multivariate latent growth curves used to model simultaneous change in multiple variables, the inclusion of time-varying covariates, predictors of aspects of change, cohort-sequential designs, and multiple-group models. The authors also highlight approaches to dealing with missing data, different estimation methods, and incorporate discussion of model evaluation and comparison within the context of LGM. The models demonstrate how they may be applied to longitudinal data derived from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (SECCYD).. Key Features · Provides easy-to-follow, didactic examples of several common growth modeling approaches · Highlights recent advancements regarding the treatment of missing data, parameter estimation, and model fit · Explains the commonalities and differences between latent growth model and multilevel modeling of repeated measures data · Covers the basic linear latent growth model, and builds from there to describe more complex functional forms such as polynomial latent curves, multivariate latent growth curves, time-varying covariates, predictors of aspects of change, cohort-sequential designs, and multiple-group models Learn more about "The Little Green Book" - QASS Series! Click Here

Forest Growth and Yield Modeling synthesizes current scientific literature and provides insights in how models are constructed. Giving suggestions for future developments, and outlining keys for successful implementation of models the book provides a thorough and up-to-date, single source reference for students, researchers and practitioners requiring a current digest of research and methods in the field. The book describes current modelling approaches for predicting forest growth and yield and explores the components that comprise the various modelling approaches. It provides the reader with the tools for evaluating and calibrating growth and yield models and outlines the steps necessary for developing a forest growth and yield model. Single source reference providing an evaluation and synthesis of current scientific literature Detailed descriptions of example models Covers statistical techniques used in forest model construction Accessible, reader-friendly style

This book provides a comprehensive introduction to latent variable growth curve modeling (LGM) for analyzing repeated measures. It presents the statistical basis for LGM and its various methodological extensions, including a number of practical examples of its use. It is designed to take advantage of the reader’s familiarity with analysis of variance and structural equation modeling (SEM) in introducing LGM techniques. Sample data, syntax, input and output, are provided for EQS, Amos, LISREL, and Mplus on the book’s CD. Throughout the book, the authors present a variety of LGM techniques that are useful for many different research designs, and numerous figures provide helpful diagrams of the examples. Updated throughout, the second edition features three new chapters—growth modeling with ordered categorical variables, growth mixture modeling, and pooled interrupted time series LGM approaches. Following a new organization, the book now covers the development of the LGM, followed by chapters on multiple-group issues (analyzing growth in multiple populations, accelerated designs, and multi-level longitudinal approaches), and then special topics such as missing data models, LGM power and Monte Carlo estimation, and latent growth interaction models. The model specifications previously included in the appendices are now available on the CD so the reader can more easily adapt the models to their own research. This practical guide is ideal for a wide range of social and behavioral researchers interested in the measurement of change over time, including social, developmental, organizational, educational, consumer, personality and clinical psychologists, sociologists, and quantitative methodologists, as well as for a text on latent variable growth curve modeling or as a supplement for a course on multivariate statistics. A prerequisite of graduate level statistics is recommended.

This practical introduction to second-order and growth mixture models using Mplus introduces simple and complex techniques through incremental steps. The authors extend latent growth curves to second-order growth curve and mixture models and then combine the two using normal and non-normal (e.g., categorical) data. To maximize understanding, each model is presented with basic structural equations, figures with associated syntax that highlight what the statistics mean, Mplus applications, and an interpretation of results. Examples from a variety of disciplines demonstrate the use of the models and exercises allow readers to test their understanding of the techniques. A comprehensive introduction to confirmatory factor analysis, latent growth curve modeling, and growth mixture modeling is provided so the book can be used by readers of various skill levels. The book’s datasets are available on the web. New to this edition: * Two new chapters providing a stepwise introduction and practical guide to the application of second-order growth curves and mixture models with categorical outcomes using the Mplus program. Complete with exercises, answer keys, and downloadable data files. * Updated illustrative examples using Mplus 8.0 include conceptual figures, Mplus program syntax, and an interpretation of results to show readers how to carry out the analyses with actual data. This text is ideal for use in graduate courses or workshops on advanced structural equation, multilevel, longitudinal or latent variable modeling, latent growth curve and mixture modeling, factor analysis, multivariate statistics, or advanced quantitative techniques (methods) across the social and behavioral sciences.

S2Describes a species-specific, distance-independent individual-tree diameter growth model for the Northeastern United States. Diameter growth is predicted in two steps using a two parameter, sigmoidal growth function modified by a one parameter exponential decay function with species-specific coefficients. Coefficients are presented for 28 species groups. The model accounts for variability in annual diameter growth due to species, tree size, site quality, and the tree's competitive position within the stand. Model performance is evaluated using the mean predicted error and the root mean square error. Results are presented for the calibration data and an independent validation data set. The model has been, incorporated into NE-TWIGS, a computerized forest growth model for the Northeastern United States.S3.