NCJ Number
221031
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 34 Issue: 12 Dated: December 2007 Pages: 1588-1622
Date Published
December 2007
Length
35 pages
Annotation
This article provides an overview of the taxometric analysis method’s inferential framework and data-analytic procedures.
Abstract
The taxometric method, a structural model of individual differences, was developed by Paul Meehl in 1995. To use this method, one analyzes observed variables for consistent evidence in support of either a taxonic or dimensional model of a constructs latent structure. This description involves four important aspects of the method: (1) individual differences are characterized as categorical (taxonic) or continuous (dimensional); (2) the taxonic method examines a construct’s latent, rather than manifest, structure; (3) the objective of a taxometric analysis is intentionally narrow; and (4) when performing a taxometric analysis, results that consistently support an inference of taxonic or dimensional latent structure are sought, and the method contains many tools for checking the consistency of results. Whether individual differences are treated as categorical or continuous has consequences for theory, assessment, classification, and research in criminal justice. The taxometric method allows investigators to test between these two competing structural models. This article provides an overview of the taxometric method. Because guidelines for implementing taxometric analyses and interpreting their results have received little research attention, investigators are encouraged to adopt an empirically grounded approach to taxometric analysis rather than following conventions or relying on personal opinion. Tables, figures and references