AQMeN - Applied Quantitative Methods Network

A lecture by Professor Kelvyn Jones, from the School of Geographical Sciences and Centre for Multilevel Modelling, University of Bristol.

Abstract
Populations commonly exhibit complex structure with many levels, so that patients  (level 1) are assigned to clinics (level 2); while individuals (1) may 'learn' their health-related behaviour in the context of households (2) and local cultures (3).  Moreover, survey designs often reflect the population structure.  Thus, in a survey of voting, respondents (1) are clustered by constituencies (2). 

Multilevel models are currently being applied to a growing number of social science research areas,  including educational and organisational research, epidemiology, voting behaviour, sociology, and geography.  By using multilevel models we can model simultaneously at several levels, gaining the potential for improved estimation, valid inference and a better substantive understanding of the realities of the social world. 

This talk aims to show the potential of multilevel models making the argument without algebra but graphically and through examples.

Biography
Kelvyn Jones is a Professor of Gepgraphy at the School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol.  He teaches research design, quantitative techniques, and teh geography of health.  He has been the Director of the Learning Environment for Multilevel Methodology and Applications (LEMMA), a node of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods (NCRM).  His publications include Health, Disease ans Society (Routledge), and articles in Social Science and Medicine, British Medical Journal,  American Journal of Political Science, British Journal of Political Science, Environment and Planning.  He has taught multilevel workshops in Scotland, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and the USA.  He is an Academician of Social Sciences.

Venue Information

King Khalid Auditorium
Royal College of Surgeons
Hill Square, Edinburgh
Map

The lecture will be followed by a drinks reception.

This knowledge exchange event will be followed by a 3 day hands-on workshop on Multilevel Modelling, led by AQMeN Senior Statistician Dr Helen Brown.