Introduction to Structural Equation Modelling
Date:
12/05/2016
Organised by:
University of Oxford
Presenter:
Lars-Erik Malmberg, Carol Brown, Daniel Caro
Level:
Intermediate (some prior knowledge)
Contact:
Description:
The concept of a latent construct is central in the social sciences. A latent construct is a not directly observed phenomenon (e.g., attitude, socioeconomic status) that we can model using manifest (observed) variables (e.g., survey and questionnaire responses, observation scores), by partitioning out residual (i.e., uniqueness, error variance). The structural equation model (SEM) is divided into two parts. In the measurement part of the model, we can inspect whether manifest variables measure the constructs they are intended to measure. This model is called confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) which allows the researcher to test whether an a priori model fits data, and whether this also holds across multiple groups. If measurement is satisfactory, the relationships between constructs can be estimated in the structural part of the SEM. Complex relationships between manifest variables and/or latent constructs can be tested in path-models not possible to specify in the multiple regression framework. During the course we will cover worked examples relevant for educational, psychological and social sciences. Participants need to understand the basics of multiple regression, or other relevant multivariate statistics.
Contents:
09:00 - 10:30 Introduction: Basic concepts, models and measurement. From multiple regression to path-models using manifest variables.
10:30 - 10:45 Break
10:45 - 12:30 Observed (manifest) variables and unobserved (latent) constructs. Specification of measurement models for testing quality of measurement, using continuous and dichotomous manifest variables. Goodness-of-fit indices.
12:30 - 13:00 Lunch
13:00 - 14:30 Relationships between latent constructs. Specifying structural models to include directional (regression) paths between latent constructs.
14:30 - 14:45 Break
14:45 - 16:00 Practise session
Software: We will mainly use the Mplus software.
Please note that car parking is not available at the venue. Please visit https://www.ox.ac.uk/visitors/visiting-oxford/how-get-oxford?wssl=1 and http://www.manor-road.ox.ac.uk/index.php/finding-us-google-map.html for further information on public transport and park and ride options.
Cost:
£100 for external students
Website and registration:
http://www.oxforduniversitystores.co.uk/browse/product.asp?compid=1&modid=2&catid=133
Region:
South East
Keywords:
Quantitative Data Handling and Data Analysis
Related publications and presentations:
Quantitative Data Handling and Data Analysis