Multivariate Taxometric Procedures

Can taxometric procedures be used to distinguish types (species latent classes taxa) from continua (dimensions latent traits factors); and if so how? Aimed at demystifying this process Niels G. Waller and Paul E. Meehl unpack MeehlÆs work on the MAXCOV-HITMAX procedure to reveal the underlying rationale of MAXCOV in simple terms and show how this technique can be profitably used in a variety of disciplines by researchers in their taxonomic work. The book begins with a discussion of the misconceptions concerning the psychometric and philosophical status of taxonic constructs; and next reviews several meanings of the term taxon and the philosophy of science that has guided the authorsÆ work in this area. The authors then describe MAXCOV-HITMAX and demonstrate how MAXCOV uses the general covariance mixture theorem to test taxonic hypotheses (using utility programs written in S-Plus that appear in the appendixes to do the taxometric procedures). Using many clear examples and illustrations they next introduce two new taxometric procedures MAXEIG-HITMAX (MAXEIG) and L-Mode for the simultaneous analysis of multiply taxon indicators and contrast these techniques with other data clustering and classification methods such as latent profile analysis and Q-techniques factor analysis. Lastly they provide guidelines for corroborating taxonic models and describe the role of taxometrics in scientific methodology. This book will appeal to those professionals and practitioners in statistics research methods evaluation measurement survey research sociology psychology education research communication research policy studies management public health and nursing.