This book is based on the assumption that the quantities social scientists want to measure, such as attitudes, abilities, price levels, and mobility, can best be represented as unknowns in a statistical model. This method includes both theoretical and practical problems. On the theoretical side, one examines the formulation and testing of an appropriate model and then employs the standard methods of estimation and prediction. On the practical side, one explores the difficulties of implementation deriving from various fields of application.This distinctly statistical approach to social measurement recognizes that in any measuring situation there are two sorts of variables: (1) manifest or indicator variables that one can directly observe, and (2) the latent variables that one cannot observe but wishes to measure. By regarding these all as random variables on common ground, Bartholomew reduces measurement problems to the familiar calculus of probability. Key Features* Argues that social measures should be derived by reference to a statistical (stochastic) model of the process being studied* By analyzing a variety of models, Bartholomew finds the common cords that bind them together in a single whole* Distinctive in its steady attention to the statistical aspects of social measurement and focus

The Statistical Approach to Social Measurement

Health, Fitness & Dieting

Bartholomew, David J.

Psychology & Counseling

Academic Press

Facts and figures have for years lived in vernacular wedlock and exact quantitative measurement is one of the foundations of the physical sciences. Should we not rely on the figures to give us more facts about such human activities as wars, strikes, intelligence tests, elections, opinion polls, games and gambling? The authors of this new Pelican maintain that a more widespread use (and understanding) of the quantitative approach is both inevitable and desirable in economics, politics, psychology and sociology. But they are well aware that too many of us are mystified by the techniques of mathematics and confounded by its symbols. To combat our partial innumeracy they show, with the help of specific case studies, how the behaviour of men can often be more precisely expressed and more truly represented in figures than in prose. (Not that they overlook the limitations of mathematics and statistics where -- plainly -- questions of quality arise.) Government affairs and decisions are more and more being discussed in mathematical term. We may regret it: or, equally, we can master and even appreciate the idiom. For this reason LET'S LOOK AT THE FIGURES is likely to interest the alert voter every bit as much as the apprentice social scientist.

Let's look at the figures: The quantitative approach to human affairs (Pelican books, A1182)

Politics & Social Sciences

Social Sciences

Penguin

Do miracles happen? Is the Bible true? What about the paranormal? Does God exist? The underpinning of belief have crumbled in a world where science sets the standard of what is true; people continue to ask these questions but there are no agreed upon answers. At the rational level, uncertainty is inevitable. Probability theory provides the tools for measuring and combining uncertainties and, thus, the key to progress. Assessing the state of the argument from a probabilistic perspective is long overdue. In Uncertain Beliefs, David J. Bartholomew examines and refutes some of the more extravagant claims, evaluates the weight of some of the quantitative evidence, and provides an answer to the fundamental question: is it rational to be a Christian?

Uncertain Belief: Is It Rational to Be a Christian?

Biographies & Memoirs

Leaders & Notable People

Clarendon Press

Do miracles happen? Is the Bible true? What about the paranormal? Does God exist? The underpinning of belief have crumbled in a world where science sets the standard of what is true; people continue to ask these questions but there are no agreed upon answers. At the rational level, uncertainty is inevitable. Probability theory provides the tools for measuring and combining uncertainties and, thus, the key to progress. Assessing the state of the argument from a probabilistic perspective is long overdue. In Uncertain Beliefs, David J. Bartholomew examines and refutes some of the more extravagant claims, evaluates the weight of some of the quantitative evidence, and provides an answer to the fundamental question" is it rational to be a Christian?

Philosophy

Oxford University Press

Hitherto latent variable modelling has hovered on the fringes of the statistical mainstream but if the purpose of statistics is to deal with real problems, there is every reason for it to move closer to centre stage. In the social sciences especially, latent variables are common and if they are to be handled in a truly scientific manner, statistical theory must be developed to include them. This book aims to show how that should be done. This second edition is a complete re-working of the book of the same name which appeared in the Griffin’s Statistical Monographs in 1987. Since then there has been a surge of interest in latent variable methods which has necessitated a radical revision of the material but the prime object of the book remains the same. It provides a unified and coherent treatment of the field from a statistical perspective. This is achieved by setting up a sufficiently general framework to enable the derivation of the commonly used models. The subsequent analysis is then done wholly within the realm of probability calculus and the theory of statistical inference. Numerical examples are provided as well as the software to carry them out ( where this is not otherwise available). Additional data sets are provided in some cases so that the reader can aquire a wider experience of analysis and interpretation.

Latent Variable Models and Factor Analysis: Kendall's Library of Statistics 7

Science & Math

Knott, Martin

Mathematics

wiley

Latent Variable Models and Factor Analysis provides a comprehensive and unified approach to factor analysis and latent variable modeling from a statistical perspective. This book presents a general framework to enable the derivation of the commonly used models, along with updated numerical examples. Nature and interpretation of a latent variable is also introduced along with related techniques for investigating dependency. This book: <ul>
<li>Provides a unified approach showing how such apparently diverse methods as Latent Class Analysis and Factor Analysis are actually members of the same family.</li> <li>Presents new material on ordered manifest variables, MCMC methods, non-linear models as well as a new chapter on related techniques for investigating dependency.</li> <li>Includes new sections on structural equation models (SEM) and Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods for parameter estimation, along with new illustrative examples.</li> <li>Looks at recent developments on goodness-of-fit test statistics and on non-linear models and models with mixed latent variables, both categorical and continuous.</li> </ul>
No prior acquaintance with latent variable modelling is pre-supposed but a broad understanding of statistical theory will make it easier to see the approach in its proper perspective. Applied statisticians, psychometricians, medical statisticians, biostatisticians, economists and social science researchers will benefit from this book.

Latent Variable Models and Factor Analysis: A Unified Approach

Moustaki, Irini

Stochastic Models for Social Processes [Dec 01, 1967] Bartholomew, David J.

Stochastic Models for Social Processes

John Wiley&Sons

Stochastic Models for Social Processes (Wiley Series in Probability and Statistics - Applied Probability and Statistics Section)

The Second Edition continues to provide a sound basis of technical knowledge for the manpower planning professional. Basic theory is sufficiently covered but the aim is to provide tools for practical use. The presentation reflects recent developments in the wider use of microcomputers and includes new material on continuous time methods, the data needs of manpower planning plus new and revised formulae and case studies. Also contains numerous examples, exercises and solutions.

Statistical Techniques for Manpower Planning (Wiley Series in Probability and Statistics - Applied Probability and Statistics Section)

Forbes, Andrew F.

McClean, Sally I.

A systematic account of the technical aspects, focusing on proven elementary methods. Designed to provide enough information for those who wish to use the techniques, the book is suitable for self-study. Includes numerous examples, exercises, and solutions, with listings provided of computer programs for evaluating some of the models. Where appropriate, techniques' limitations are emphasized, with indications for overcoming them.

Business & Money

Economics

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Bartholomew, David J.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Bartholomew, David J.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Bartholomew, David J.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Statistical Approach to Social Measurement

Let's look at the figures: The quantitative approach to human affairs (Pelican books, A1182)

Uncertain Belief: Is It Rational to Be a Christian?

Uncertain Belief: Is It Rational to Be a Christian?

Latent Variable Models and Factor Analysis: Kendall's Library of Statistics 7

Latent Variable Models and Factor Analysis: A Unified Approach

Stochastic Models for Social Processes

Stochastic Models for Social Processes (Wiley Series in Probability and Statistics - Applied Probability and Statistics Section)

Statistical Techniques for Manpower Planning (Wiley Series in Probability and Statistics - Applied Probability and Statistics Section)

Statistical Techniques for Manpower Planning (Wiley Series in Probability and Statistics - Applied Probability and Statistics Section)