Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) has played a major role in research conducted in the social sciences for more than 100 years, dating back to the... pioneering work of Spearman on mental abilities. Since that time, EFA has become one of the most commonly used quantitative methods in many of the social sciences, including psychology, business, sociology, education, political science, and communications. To a lesser extent, it has also been utilized within the physical and biological sciences. Despite its long and widespread usage in many domains, numerous aspects of the underlying theory and application of EFA are poorly understood by researchers. Indeed, perhaps no widely used quantitative method requires more decisions on the part of a researcher and offers as wide an array of procedural options as EFA does. This book provides a non-mathematical introduction to the underlying theory of EFA and reviews the key decisions that must be made in its implementation. Among the issues discussed are the use of confirmatory versus exploratory factor analysis, the use of principal components analysis versus common factor analysis, procedures for determining the appropriate number of factors, and methods for rotating factor solutions. Explanations and illustrations of the application of different factor analytic procedures are provided for analyses using common statistical packages (SPSS and SAS), as well as a free package available on the web (Comprehensive Exploratory Factor Analysis). In addition, practical instructions are provided for conducting a number of useful factor analytic procedures not included in the statistical packages.

Guided by the precept that to understand any phenomenon well, it is necessary to start by looking at it in broad, nonspecialized terms, Robert A... Stebbins takes the reader through the process of exploratory research in an easy-to-read style providing the student or researcher with a complete reference for carrying out this type of research. 

This is an extensively revised and expanded second edition of the successful textbook on social network analysis integrating theory, applications, and... network analysis using Pajek. The main structural concepts and their applications in social research are introduced with exercises. Pajek software and data sets are available so readers can learn network analysis through application and case studies. Readers will have the knowledge, skill, and tools to apply social network analysis across the social sciences, from anthropology and sociology to business administration and history. This second edition has a new chapter on random network models, for example, scale-free and small-world networks and Monte Carlo simulation; discussion of multiple relations, islands, and matrix multiplication; new structural indices such as eigenvector centrality, degree distribution, and clustering coefficients; new visualization options that include circular layout for partitions and drawing a network geographically as a 3D surface; and using Unicode labels. This new edition also includes instructions on exporting data from Pajek to R software. It offers updated descriptions and screen shots for working with Pajek (version 2.03).

This fresh approach to teaching introductory biology to non-science majors is based on two sets of beliefs. First, that nonscience majors absorb biology... best when it is presented in the context of personal experience or human relevance. Second, that today's variety of media--video, CD-ROMs, and the Internet--offer unprecedented opportunities to bring people, imagery, biological processes, hands-on interactivity, and up-to-the-minute data into the study of biology. Authors John Postlethwait and Janet Hopson have created a topical, case-history approach to teaching life science fundamentals that fully integrates electronic media so that the student can explore relevant biology in ways suited to his or her own learning style. An engaging, student-relevant case study opens and is interwoven throughout each chapter. Additional examples, anecdotes, research stories, and applications are also used to give students a well-rounded framework for learning core biological concepts. The book's innovative design allows integration of references to the other EXPLORE LIFE components within it. The media are integrated into the course line by line, not just attractively packaged and offered as ancillaries. This complete integration can be seen in every chapter. This multimedia, applications-driven approach in EXPLORE LIFE has the potential to reshape the teaching of non-majors biology. Instructors can adopt this approach with a high level of flexibility, using as much or as little of the media as they deem appropriate, incorporating their own material, and adapting EXPLORE LIFE to their individual needs.

Reaching the World in Our Own Backyard is designed as a guidebook for Christians to better understand and engage people from other countries including... immigrants, foreign exchange students, and tourists. By both region and religion, author Rajendra K. Pillai explains cultural considerations and common points of reference to readers eager to share the good news of Jesus Christ with foreign-born individuals.Between 1990 and 2000, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism–along with many other religions–grew at a record pace, due heavily to immigration and conversion. During this same period of time the number of people who call themselves Christians dropped by 9 percent. Meanwhile, 98 percent of churches experienced non-growth or declines in attendance.

The Mississippi River has intrigued the footloose for centuries. Here, for the first time in paperback, are briskly told biographies of the chief... protagonists in the drama, with Old Man River as the constant and invincible antagonist. From conquistadors to nineteenth-century gentlemen explorers, Severin depicts the disasters and adventures of familiar, but often misunderstood, figures in American history, as well as the chicanery of others, less well known, who used the river for their own purposes. "A first-rate piece of work, rich in period and personality. Severin considers the true elucidators of the river-Joliet, Marquette, La Salle, and Henry de Tonti-plus a smattering of frauds and dilettantes, among whom he includes Lieutenant Zebulon Pike." New Yorker " Traveling side by side with each of his intrepid voyagers, Severin will make every armchair Huck Finn yearn to sign up for the next trip." New York Times Book Review Historian Timothy Severin has made a career of retracing and writing about epic voyages. His myriad adventures include canoeing the Mississippi River from beginning to end, sailing in St. Brendan the Navigator's path across the Atlantic Ocean, and journeying on horseback in Mongolia in search of Gheghis Khan's heritage. He lives in Ireland

This video rich, online resource facilitates multiple strategies of teaching and learning that can significantly enhance Introductory Theatre courses.... Explore Theatre kindles theatre student desire for watching live performance while enhancing their ability to do so intelligently through a digital learning environment designed to encourage critical and constructive thinking about theatre. By building upon students’ experiences as digital audience members, Explore Theatre fosters greater understanding of the relationships between text, actor, and audience and builds bridges to live theatre and its history.

Packed with vivid illustrations and practical applications, Exploring Adobe Illustrator CS6 delivers a design-driven exploration of the foundation... features of the latest version of Adobe Illustrator CS6. Step-by-step tutorials derived from the kind of projects that a graphic designer might typically encounter and profiles of designers and their work in Illustrator are two of the hallmarks of this proven and popular text. The book examines the tools and features of Adobe Illustrator's newest release and shows how to create vector graphics and drawings for both print and the Web with fundamental design elements in mind. Rich pedagogy includes an "Exploring On Your Own" sidebar that encourages practice beyond the projects and tutorials in the book, and hundreds of new illustrations integrated throughout drive home key design concepts while demonstrating exceptional digital illustration. The Data Files used to complete the projects found in the book are now available online. For access information please refer to the directions available in the preface of the book.

In the world of design, projects don't come with directions. The "recipe book" approach used by most software books does little to prepare designers for... the demands of a highly competitive industry. Exploring InDesign CS4 takes a different approach. With an emphasis on typography and critical thinking, Exploring InDesign CS4 transforms the novice into a professional who is able to use the software while applying industry-standard design principles. In addition to using the new features of Adobe InDesign CS4, users learn to identify each project's challenges and to strategize the best production sequence. Chapters and projects are carefully organized to move learners from basic operations to creating complex documents. Each chapter builds upon the skills presented in the previous chapter. As in industry, the emphasis throughout is on technical accuracy and productivity.