Quantitative Methods in Education Masterclass Series (Spring 2026) - Dynamic Structural Equation Modelling (DSEM)
Date:
13/03/2026
Organised by:
Southampton Education School in collaboration with the National Centre for Research Methods
Presenter:
Professor Lars-Erik Malmberg
Level:
Entry (no or almost no prior knowledge)
Contact:
Penny White
NCRM Centre Manager
p.c.white@southampton.ac.uk
Venue: Online
Description:
Friday 13 March 2026
13:00–14:30 (UK time)
Online (MS Teams): Link to Meeting
Abstract:
Dynamic Structural Equation Modelling (DSEM) is a statistical technique for analysing intensive longitudinal data. This masterclass begins with a pedagogical introduction to key concepts in time-series modelling, including lagged effects, autoregressive processes, stationarity, and the modelling of within-person dynamics. It then demonstrate how DSEM can be specified within a multilevel framework, allowing individual differences in within-person processes to be modelled and interpreted.
Using data from a study of university students’ positive and negative emotions measured over a two-week period, the session then illustrates the specification of autoregressive and cross-lagged models in Mplus, alongside the visualisation and interpretation of results in R. The session concludes with a discussion of practical considerations and next steps for researchers working with intensive longitudinal data.
Materials for R and Mplus will be made available to participants.
Short Bio:
Lars-Erik Malmberg is Professor of Quantitative Methods in Education, at the Department of Education, University of Oxford, UK. He has more than 100 publications. He was Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Learning and Instruction 2018-21. His current research interests are on intraindividual approaches to learning processes, and modelling of intensive longitudinal data. He has published on effects of education, child care and parenting on developmental and educational outcomes, and teacher development. He applies advanced quantitative models to the investigation of substantive research questions in education. Links between educational phenomena and physiology were explored in the Emerging Field Group “The potential of biophysiology for understanding learning and teaching experiences”.
Cost:
Free of charge and registration is not required - 'Register for this course' below links to the Teams Meeting.
Website and registration:
Region:
South East
Keywords:
Quantitative Data Handling and Data Analysis, Longitudinal Data Analysis, Cross-lagged panel models, Structural equation models, Mplus, R, Data Visualisation
Related publications and presentations from our eprints archive:
Quantitative Data Handling and Data Analysis
Longitudinal Data Analysis
Cross-lagged panel models
Structural equation models
Mplus
R
Data Visualisation