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Analyzing Social and Political Change
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Analyzing Social and Political Change
A Casebook of Methods

Edited by:


July 1994 | 240 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
Understanding change over time is a central concern for research in sociology, political science, education, geography and related disciplines. It is also an issue which presents significant methodological problems, in response to which different techniques have been developed - for example, time series analysis, multilevel models, log-linear models and event history analysis. Outlining the nature of such techniques, this accessible collection covers: the respective values of cross-sectional and longitudinal data in the analysis of change; the variety of methods available for the analysis of change over time; the types of research objective to which various techniques are suited; the limitations and constraints of individual methods; and the different philosophies which underlie particular approaches.

Richard B Davies and Angela Dale
Introduction
Richard B Davies
From Cross-Sectional to Longitudinal Analysis
Clive Payne, Joan Payne and Anthony Heath
Modelling Trends in Multi-Way Tables
John Micklewright
The Analysis of Pooled Cross-Sectional Data
John Bynner
Analyzing Change Over Time Using LISREL
Ian Plewis
Longitudinal Multilevel Models
Nancy Tuma
Event History Analysis
Rolf Langeheine and Frank van de Pol
Discrete-Time Mixed Markov Latent Class Models
David Sanders and Hugh Ward
Time-Series Techniques for Repeated Cross-Sectional Data

`[A] valuable sourcebook.... It starts with a lucid introductory chapter by the editors in which they review the main benefits of using longitudinal data and describe the different sorts of such data that are becoming increasingly available, identifying the research questions each may address and the statistical methods appropriate to each. Chapter 2 by Davies is an elegant demonstration of the benefits of longitudinal over cross-sectional analysis, particularly in separating ageing and cohort effects. In each of the subsequent seven chapters a specific method of statistical analysis is presented, giving a worked example of how it can be used to investigate changes over time. Some are technically complex but the reader is ably assisted by the editors, who introduce each chapter with a few pages explaining the key points in an accessible way. Looking through these editorial guides will quickly establish which method is the most appropriate to the reader's research question and data. The book is an excellent resource for anyone wanting an update on developments in statistical techniques that help to unravel the complexities of social and political change' - Political Studies

`The editors provide a solid introduction to each chapter. I found this useful particularly in those subjects where I am less familiar. There is an excellent index - something which is not a feature of all article collections.... a good knowledge of statistical theory is generally assumed, but this book should be in every institute library' - Participation

`This volume covers many types of longitudinal data and statistical techniques for analyzing them. Does it manage to "build a bridge" between the advanced statistical techniques and the needs felt by the social researcher in his/her everyday practice? Yes, I think it does. The book is readable and one learns a lot' - Acta Sociologica

'There is much to recommend this book, especially to those who are interested in studying change processes....Provides a useful introduction to the problems and benefits associated with analysing longitudinal data in the social sciences' - Structural Equations Modeling

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