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How to Read a LISREL Output

LISREL is a software package that organizes and expresses multilevel linear and nonlinear equations. The program imports a wide range of data and creates multiple types of reports. Researchers use LISREL to manipulate the data into usable portions. For example, a sociology researcher may collect data that tracks a student̵7;s activities in high school, his college courses and his career path. After plugging all the variables into the program, LISREL creates a raw data output and a structural model.

Things You'll Need

Printer

Instructions

- 1
  Print the raw data. Look at the top left-hand side of the page. This section contains the raw data. The Path model indicates which path diagram you have chosen.
- 2
  Look beneath the path model. The variables are listed according to the researcher̵7;s priorities.
- 3
  Read the correlation matrix located under the variables. This is the mathematical expression of the data gathered. The data is organized so that the data is in a column for each variable.
- 4
  Read the means, if needed, for each variable. Below the means is the standard deviation for each variable. These numbers are determined by the data and the researcher̵7;s method and are followed by the sample size.
- 5
  Look below the data information to find the different variable template types. The program offers several different variable templates so a researcher can choose the best template for her study.
- 6
  Read the results of the data evaluation in the box below the variable type. This is a shorthand version of the results of the study.
- 7
  Find the output type at the bottom of the page. This is the type of report the researcher wishes to generate such as a flow chart, a linear model or a graph.

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