Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Path analysis in genetic epidemiology: a critique.

S Karlin, E C Cameron, R Chakraborty

    American Journal of Human Genetics
    |July 1, 1983
    PubMed
    Summary

    Path analysis is a statistical method used in human genetics to understand familial resemblance by examining genetic, environmental, and cultural influences. This review critically evaluates its assumptions, applications, and statistical validity in genetic epidemiology.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    Measurement of the Positive Muon Anomalous Magnetic Moment to 127 ppb.

    Physical review letters·2025
    Same author

    A compact frozen-spin trap for the search for the electric dipole moment of the muon.

    The European physical journal. C, Particles and fields·2025
    Same author

    Molecular characterization and virulence of fungal pathogens associated with mass mortalities in hilsa Shad (Tenualosa ilisha).

    Scientific reports·2025
    Same author

    Anomalous spin precession systematic effects in the search for a muon EDM using the frozen-spin technique.

    The European physical journal. C, Particles and fields·2024
    Same author

    Measurement of the Positive Muon Anomalous Magnetic Moment to 0.20 ppm.

    Physical review letters·2023
    Same author

    Coronavirus peplomer interaction.

    Physics of fluids (Woodbury, N.Y. : 1994)·2022

    Area of Science:

    • Human genetics
    • Genetic epidemiology
    • Biostatistics

    Background:

    • Path analysis, a type of structural equation modeling, is widely used in human genetics.
    • It aims to disentangle genetic, environmental, and cultural contributions to familial resemblance.
    • Key proponents include D. C. Rao, N. Morton, C. R. Cloninger, L. J. Eaves, and W. E. Nance.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To review and critically evaluate path analysis in the context of genetic epidemiology.
    • To examine model specification, assumptions, interpretation, and computational validity.
    • To provide perspective by discussing its use in social sciences and specific genetic applications.

    Main Methods:

    • Review of path analysis formulations and applications in human genetics.
    • Critical discussion focusing on model coherence, assumption plausibility, interpretability, and procedural validity.
    • Examination of specific models applied to lipoprotein concentrations, IQ, and twin data.

    Main Results:

    • The paper critically assesses the strengths and limitations of path analysis in genetic epidemiology.
    • It highlights issues concerning model specification, assumption plausibility, and interpretability.
    • The validity of statistical and computational procedures is also evaluated.

    Conclusions:

    • Path analysis, while influential, requires careful consideration of its underlying assumptions and applicability.
    • Model selection is a critical challenge in analyzing complex genetic epidemiological data.
    • Model-free alternatives are suggested for complex structured data analysis.

    Related Experiment Videos