Definition

LISREL (LInear Structural RELations modeling) was one of the first statistical computer packages used for structural equation modeling. Created by Karl Jöreskog and Dag Sörbom, it remains one of the most popular programs for such analyses, although numerous other programs exist, including EQS, Proc Calis within SAS, and Amos. As with all structural modeling programs, LISREL provides an extremely powerful and flexible way to analyze complex data.

LISREL essentially assesses the extent to which theorized relations between variables are consistent with observed relations between those variables. The researcher begins by theorizing how a set of variables should be related to each other. For example, he or she might theorize that many measured variables (e.g., a verbal test, math test, reaction time test) all relate to a ...