Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling

Brief Description:

This course covers the fundamental concepts and theory of Structural Equation Modeling:  model specification, model identification, model estimation, model testing, and model modification.  Reading assignments, examples and exercises are included using the LISREL software package.

Instructor(s):
Level: Intermediate

Who Should Take This Course:

Market researchers, educational researchers, sociologists and psychologists, political scientists, economists, and survey researchers.

Dates:
May 18, 2012 to June 15, 2012November 09, 2012 to December 07, 2012
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Registration:
Please read the syllabus tab, noting the prerequisites, text and software requirements.

Register Online -$499
Register Online -$399 (you must be affiliated with a college, university or high school)

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Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling

Aim of Course:

Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) is a general statistical modeling technique to establish relationships among variables. A key feature of SEM is that observed variables are understood to represent a small number of "latent constructs" that cannot be directly measured, only inferred from the observed measured variables. This course covers the theory of SEM, and includes practical work with computer software and real data. It covers the key concepts in SEM - at the conclusion of the course students will be able to specify different forms of models, using observed, latent, dependent and independent variables. Student will be able to conduct confirmatory factor analysis, and diagram SEM models.

Prerequisite(s):

You should be familiar and comfortable with the concepts in Basic Concepts in Probability and Statistics, Introduction to Statistics 1: Inference for a Single Variable, and Introduction to Statistics 2: Working with Bivariate Data. Some prior work with modeling is also helpful - statistics.com courses that are useful in this respect include Introduction to Regression, Introduction to Datamining, and Logistic Regression.

If you are not familiar with the basics of educational measurement and assessment, or would like a refresher, please also consider taking "Introduction to Assessment/Measurement in Education" .

Course Program:

SESSION 1: Preliminaries

• LISREL software installation
• PRELIS
• Data entry and Data Edit issues
• Correlation and Covariance Data Files

SESSION 2: Modeling

• SEM Basics
• Regression models
• Diagramming Models
• Path Analysis Models

SESSION 3: Measurement models

• Exploratory vs. Confirmatory factor analysis
• Latent Variables
• CFA models

SESSION 4: Developing Structural Equation Models

• Combining Path and Factor Models
• 5 Basic SEM steps
  • Model Specification
  • Model Identification
  • Model Estimation
  • Model Testing
  • Model Modification
• Amos Audio/Video Presentation

Organization of the Course:

This course takes place over the internet, at statistics.com for 4 weeks. During each course week, you participate at times of your own choosing - there are no set times when you must be online. Course participants will be given access to a private discussion board. In class discussions led by the instructor, you can post questions, seek clarification, and interact with your fellow students and the instructor.

The course typically requires 15 hours per week. At the beginning of each week, you receive the relevant material, in addition to answers to exercises from the previous session. During the week, you are expected to go over the course materials, work through exercises, and submit answers. Discussion among participants is encouraged. The instructor will provide answers and comments, and you will receive individual feedback on your homework answers.

Credit:
Students come to The Institute for a variety of reasons:

1. You may be interested only in learning the material presented, and not be concerned with grades or a record of completion.
2. You may be enrolled in PASS (Program in Advanced Statistical Studies) that requires demonstration of proficiency in the subject, in which case your work will be assessed for a grade.
3. You may require a "Record of Course Completion," along with professional development credit in the form of Continuing Education Units (CEU's).

As you begin the class, you will be asked to specify your category.

This course offers continuing education units (CEU's). For those successfully completing the course (generally this means marks of 50% or better on the homework), 5.0 CEU's and a record of course completion will be issued by Statistics.com, upon request.

Course Text:

The course text is A Beginner's Guide to Structural Equation Modeling, 3rd edition, published April 2010, by Randall E. Schumacker and Richard Lomax. You can order this text by clicking here.

Software:

The course will provide illustrations in LISREL, a programming environment. You can download a free student version of LISREL from the textbook website. The Introductory guide and user's manual are also available here. TA's can provide LISREL support if needed.

Course staff will not be available to illustrate or help with examples other than those included in the course. Students are encouraged to visit each software website to obtain the latest student versions of the software. Some, but not all software can be obtained on vendor websites. For LISREL a limited student edition is available at http://www.ssicentral.com/lisrel/student.html. MAC users note: LISREL software is not available for Macintosh. Mac end users run the Windows editions of the software products using Virtual PC or VM on Power PC Macs (G series) or the Windows OS on Intel-based Macs.

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Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling

Instructor(s):
Dates:
May 18, 2012 to June 15, 2012November 09, 2012 to December 07, 2012
Course Fee: $499
Academic Discounted Rate: $399

Before registering, please read the syllabus tab, noting the prerequisites, text and software requirements. When you click the register button, you will be taken to our secure transaction page.

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