Path Analysis Background Path analysis represents an early attempt at dealing with causal relationships. Developed by Sewall Wright in the 1930's. Currently, causal analysis is done using structural equation modeling.
Path analysis is useful in illustrating a number of the issues involved in causal analysis.
Some Definitions Exogenous Variable - a variable whose variability is determined by variables outside of the causal model. It has no feedback loops nor any reciprocal effects. In a recursive model, a variable cannot be both cause and effect at the same time. Path Coefficient - standardized regression coefficient predicting one variable from another. Path Analysis Assumptions Relations among models are linear, additive, and causal.