Machine Learning for Social and Behavioral Research

This book provides the skills needed to analyze and report large, complex data sets using machine learning tools, and to understand published machine learning articles. Techniques are demonstrated using actual data (Big Five Inventory, early childhood learning, and more), with a focus on the interplay of statistical algorithm, data, and theory.

I. Fundamental Concepts
1. Introduction
- Why the Term Machine Learning?
- Why do We Need Machine Learning?
- How is this Book Different?
- Definitions
- Software
- Datasets
2. The Principles of Machine Learning Research
- Overview
- Principle #1: Machine Learning is Not Just Lazy Induction
- Principle #2: Orienting Our Goals Relative to Prediction, Explanation, and Description
- Principle #3: Labeling a Study as Exploratory or Confirmatory is too Simplistic
- Principle #4: Report Everything
- Summary
3. The Practices of Machine Learning
- Comparing Algorithms and Models
- Model Fit
- Bias-Variance Tradeoff
- Resampling
- Classification
- Conclusion
II. Algorithms for Univariate Outcomes
4. Regularized Regression
- Linear Regression
- Logistic Regression
- Regularization
- Rationale for Regularization
- Alternative Forms of Regularization
- Bayesian Regression
- Summary
5. Decision Trees
- Introduction
- Decision Tree Algorithms
- Miscellaneous Topics
6. Ensembles
- Bagging
- Random Forests
- Gradient Boosting
- Interpretation
- Empirical Example
- Important Notes
- Summary
III. Algorithms for Multivariate Outcomes
7. Machine Learning and Measurement
- Defining Measurement Error
- Impact of Measurement Error
- Assessing Measurement Error
- Weighting
- Alternative Methods
- Summary
8. Machine Learning and Structural Equation Modeling
- Latent Variables as Predictors
- Predicting Latent Variables
- Using Latent Variables as Outcomes and Predictors
- Can Regularization Improve Generalizability in SEM?
- Nonlinear Relationships and Latent Variables
- Summary
9. Machine Learning with Mixed-Effects Models
- Mixed-Effects Models
- Machine Learning with Clustered Data
- Regularization with Mixed-Effects Models
- Illustrative Example
- Additional Strategies for Mining Longitudinal Data
- Summary
10. Searching for Groups
- Finite Mixture Model
- Structural Equation Model Trees
- Summary
IV. Alternative Data Types
11. Introduction to Text Mining
- Key Terminology
- Data
- Basic Text Mining
- Text Data Preprocessing
- Basic Analysis of the Teaching Comment Data
- Sentiment Analysis
- Topic Models
- Summary
12. Introduction to Social Network Analysis
- Network Visualization
- Network Statistics
- Basic Network Analysis
- Network Modeling
- Summary
References