Driving fast in reverse: The relationship between software development, theory, and education in structural equation modeling

Structural Equation Modeling is one of the most widely used statistical techniques in the social sciences, especially psychology. Its popularity and complexity have spawned a large number of “user-friendly ” computer programs, training seminars, introductory textbooks, edited volumes, and an internet discussion group (SEMNET). A review of several introductory textbooks and an edited volume raises disturbing questions about the interplay between commercial development, statistical theory, and “prac