Dyadic Data Analysis (Methodology In The Social Sciences)

Interpersonal phenomena such as attachment, conflict, person perception, learning, and influence have traditionally been studied by examining individuals in isolation, which falls short of capturing their truly interpersonal nature. This book offers state-of-the-art solutions to this age-old problem by presenting methodological and data-analytic approaches useful in investigating processes that take place among dyads: couples, coworkers, parent and child, teacher and student, or doctor and patient, to name just a few. Rich examples from psychology and across the behavioral and social sciences help build the researcher's ability to conceptualize relationship processes; model and test for actor effects, partner effects, and relationship effects; and model and control for the statistical interdependence that can exist between partners.

Providing a solid grasp of the many facets of dyadic analysis, the book provides a taxonomy of dyadic designs and addresses:

* How to design an appropriate dyadic study to address a particular research question

* Nonindependence: what it is and how to measure it

* Ways to model and test for actor effects, partner effects, and relationship effects

* Strategies for analyzing each dyad in a study with multiple outcome variables

* The use of multilevel modeling and structural equation modeling in the estimation of dyadic models

* Organization and documentation of dyadic data files

* The "Seven Deadly Sins" of dyadic data analysis and how to avoid them

"It is rare to find a book that provides a nicely organized discussion of the approaches to evaluation, as well as hands-on information on managing evaluation, evaluation ethics, different evaluation philosophies, and utilization of evaluation. I especially liked the distinction among the various interventions that are the focus of evaluations, and the charts of the forms of evaluation. I also liked the focus on planning and diagnostic evaluation. The graphics are excellent, and Owen makes good use of inset boxes for examples. I would use the book in an introductory evaluation class to provide students with a roadmap of evaluation approaches and techniques and when and why to use them. This is one of only a few available texts that assemble techniques and approaches used in various countries across the world, and thus it should appeal to a wide audience."

-Debra J. Rog, Center for Evaluation and Program Improvement, Vanderbilt University

"This book breaks entirely new ground and, for the first time, offers social scientists a detailed methodological armamentarium for the analysis of dyadic data that appear in a broad range of research contexts. The development of original and creative solutions to some of the most vexing problems in dyadic research is presented in a clear, accessible manner by these talented authors. Dyadic Data Analysis is destined to become a classic, and will be essential reading for advanced students and researchers studying dyadic phenomena."

-Tom Malloy, Department of Psychology, Rhode Island College

"If any researcher (faculty or student) asked me for advice on dyadic data, I would send him or her to this book first. It provides clear definitions, accessible reviews of topics that appear in research journals, intuitive examples, and illustrations with computer code. The authors are to be commended for taking such difficult topics and communicating them in an accessible manner."

-Richard Gonzalez, Department of Psychology, University of Michigan

"A well-written and thoroughgoing discussion of issues and approaches in the analysis of dyadic data, written by leaders in the field....The book would be appropriate for advanced undergraduate social psychology methods classes, as well as graduate seminars. I strongly recommend this text to every social relations and social psychology researcher. I expect it will soon become a widely cited classic."

-Bruno D. Zumbo, Measurement, Evaluation, and Research Methodology Program, and Department of Statistics, University of British Columbia, Canada

"A wonderful addition to every researcher's tool chest for studying social relations and social interaction....What makes [the authors'] book so useful is the array of subtle issues they discuss, from when to treat dyadic members as distinguishable or as indistinguishable, to how to array data for dyadic analyses. The kinds of questions examined--from the minute to the sweeping--indicate that this book is written by people with substantial experience in social relations research."

-Joseph N. Cappella, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania

"An excellent, accessible, and instructive guide to dyadic data analysis. The authors clearly explain why interdependent data are problematic when approached with classical statistical