An Introduction to Structural Equation Modelling using Mplus: Two-day training workshop *FULLY BOOKED*
*Registration for this event is now closed and we are no longer accepting applications*
Presented by Dr. Nick Shryane,
Institute for Social Change and Social Statistics, University of Manchester
Venue: Islay Training Room, University of Glasgow
Content
This two-day hands on workshop will introduce Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) using lectures, examples and lab sessions. The software used on the course will be Mplus which is widely regarded as one of the most advanced and accessible packages for estimating SEM. Issues to be covered will include:
- getting to know Mplus by running standard regression models
- extending regression into path analysis by including mediating variables
- adding latent variables to produce full structural equation models
Models for both continuous and categorical data will be covered.
Who should attend?
The course is intended for postgraduate students, academics and other social researchers intersted in learning how SEM can contribute to their research goals. You should aready have a good knowledge of basic statistics and OLS regression. The course will be particularly useful for researchers who want to learn and use psychometric tools to model questionnaire data.
Why attend?
Structural Equation Modelling is a powerful multivariate statistical technique that allows one to estimate a wide variety of causal relationships. It is a highly flexible method that incorporates regression and factor analysis as special cases. It is particlularly useful for estimating complex multivariate relationships where there are multiple inter-related dependent variables, or where your model includes latent variables - unobserved theoretical constructs whose effects need to be estimated indirectly.
Course objectives
The main objectives of the workshop are:
- To introduce participants to the Mplus interface , and teach them how to transfer data from other software packages into Mplus
- To learn how to run a simple regression model in Mplus and how to interpret the output and understand issues of heteroscedasticity and centring
- To understand how to run models with more than one dependent variable and use the model to tese hypotheses
- To introduce participants to logit and probit models for categorical data, interpreting log odds ratios and latent responses and thresholds.
- To introduce path analysis and the fitting of mediation models for continuous and categorical variables.
- To understand the rationale of latent variable models and to fit Confirmatory Factor Analysis for continuous data.
- To introduce Rasch modelling and Item response Theory, modelling approaches analogous to Confirmatory Factor Analysis but for categorical data.
- To cover basic model building issues in SEM, and to understand important related concepts such as measurement vs. structural models, identification issues, and diagnostic testing.
Learning outcomes
By attending the workshop you will:
- Gain an understanding of the statistical principles behind Structural Equation Modelling, the underlying assumptions and limitations, necessary pre-processing, and model options.
- Be able to run different model types and interpret the output accordingly.
- Understand core concepts such as endogenous and exogenous constructs, direct and indirect effects, and latent variable estimation.
- Know the basic principles of model building and the potential for advanced applications.
Prerequisites
The course will be pitched at an intermediate level. Participants must be competent in the use of a PC and have some experience of using regression analysis. All participants must have a good understanding of basic statistics (such concepts as variance and covariance/correlation) and inference (such as standard error and statistical significance), and have sufficient elementary algebra to understand simple linear formulae. Participants should have an understanding of the difference between different data types (continuous and categorical variables) and the difference between dependent and independent variables. It woudl also be useful (but not essential), for participants to have some knowledge of factor analysis.
Application process
There are 20 places available on this course. Places will be allocated following a process of application and priority will be given to postgraduate students and academic staff in Scotland who meet the selection criteria and for whom the course is free to attend.
Non-academics and postgraduate students and academics outside Scotland may apply but there will be a fee to attend as follows:
- Postgraduate students and academic staff in Scotland - FREE
- Postgraduate students and academic staff outside Scotland - £100 (£50 per day)
- Public and Voluntary Sector - £150 (£75 per day)
- Private Sector - £200 (£100 per day)
To apply for the course
- Sign up for the event using the link below AND
- Complete the application form and return to events@aqmen.ac.uk by 5pm on Wednesday 3rd August.
Successful applicants will be notified by 5pm on Friday 12th August.
PhD Expenses
PhD students studying in Scotland who live outside Glasgow are eligible to claim for travel, accommodation and subsistence during the event. Please note that any claims must be discussed with Heather Thomson prior to the event. Failure to do this may result in us being unable to reimburse you. AQMeN will only reimburse travel to/from an address in Scotland as provided on the application form. Travel costs must be kept to a minimum. Taxis fares will not be reimbursed except in exceptional circumstances where this has been previously approved by AQMeN. Accommodation will be arranged by AQMeN on a bed and breakfast basis. Evening meals may be claimed up to the value of £15 excluding alcohol. Original travel tickets and fully itemised receipts MUST be provided. Credit card receipts and email booking confirmations will not be accepted by our auditors.
Non-attendance
All AQMeN courses are offered free of charge to PhD students and academics in Scotland; however, the courses are expensive to run, both in terms of time and money, and non-attendance on courses impacts on our ability to complete the programme of training and to adequately evaluate the value of these events. This is detrimental to the future sustainability of AQMeN as the funding bodies expect full evaluation.
By applying for this course you are making an undertaking to attend the full two days of the course. Failure to do this may result in you being charged a fee to cover the cost of the course and any accommodation that has been booked. If after a place is allocated and confirmed you are no longer able to attend, you must notify AQMeN as soon as possible to allow the place to be offered to someone on the waiting list. Failure to provide advance notification, resulting in the place not being available to another may result in you being charged a fee to cover the cost of the course.
