Analysis of Sequential Events
Dr. Paul YoderAim of Course:
This course covers statistical methods used to analyze associations among 2 sequential events, where an event is one of a limited set of defined events. For example, a classroom setting in which certain classes of student and teacher behaviors are recorded, and one wishes to analyze whether one type of student behavior is likely to follow a type of teacher behavior. For such data to be correctly analyzed, many instances of the two behaviors of interest must occur in a single session. Such data does not conform to the classic statistical notion of events with outcomes, and special analysis is required to assess whether observed associations differ from what chance would produce.Who Should Take This Course:
Social and behavioral science researchers who observe behavior over time, and record and analyze series of events of interest.For those enrolled in Professional Advancement Programs, this is a required or elective course in the following Programs:
- Statistics for Social Sciences - elective
Course Program:
The course is structured as followsSession 1: Introduction to Sequential Analysis
- Define sequential analysis
- Define terms needed to discuss sequential analysis (given, target, base rate, sequential association, coded units, mutually exclusive and exhaustive data streams)
- Rationale for analyzing sequences of events
- Base rates and the need to control for chance sequencing of events
- Strengths and limitations of sequential analysis
- Types of sequential analysis
- Types and examples of streams of coded units
- Proper construction of 2 x 2 contingency table as the basic unit of sequential analysis
- Time window sequential analysis: the wave of the future.
- Does Sequence A occur at a rate different from expected by chance?
- Why transitional probabilities are usually inadequate as an index of sequential association (and the one exception)
- Yule's Q as an index of sequential association
- Types of research questions that use Yule’s Q as a dependent variable or correlate
- Behavior sample size requirements
- ProcoderDV for data collection
- MOOSES for 2 x 2 table construction and analysis
- Assumption of exchangeability
The Instructor:
Dr. Paul Yoder is the past director of the Observational Measurement Core of the Kennedy Center at Vanderbilt University and present instructor of Observational Methods course at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Yoder has contributed to the methodological, statistical, and substantive sequential analysis literature. He is a practicing scientist who uses sequential analysis in his past, current, and future research projects on social interactions in children with disabilities and their parents or teachers.Organization of the Course:
The course takes place over the internet, at statistics.com. 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 is scheduled to take place over 4 weeks, and typically requires 10-15 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 and work through exercises. Discussion among participants is encouraged. The instructor will provide answers and comments.Certificates and Grades:
You may be interested only in learning the material presented, and not be concerned with grades or certificates. Or you may be enrolled in a statistics.com Professional Advancement Program that requires demonstration of proficiency in the subject, in which case your work will be assessed for purposes of issuing a grade. Or you may require only a "Certificate 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.Credit:
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 certificate will be issued by statistics.com, upon request.Dates:
May. 16 - Jun. 13, 2008Click here to be notified of future course offerings.
Participants gain access to the online materials on the first day of the course, and typically spend about 10-15 hours per week (at their convenience). You retain full access to course materials, including discussion board, for two weeks after the course closing date.
Note: The last week of this course, which is discussion only, extends into the holidays -- the schedule during that time will be modified to accommodate the needs of those taking off a few days for the holidays.
Level:
IntermediatePrerequisite:
Participants should be familiar with basic statistics, including significance testing. Some familiarity with categorical data analysis (contingency tables) is recommended.Course Text:
Bakeman and Gottman, Observing Interaction: An Introduction to Sequential Analysis, Cambridge University Press, 1997 . You can purchase it here.Software:
The following software programs are illustrated: ProcoderDV, MOOSES, and StatXact. See the above links for information about free trial versions that may be used for a limited period.Registration:
Register Online - $449Register Online (academic) - $349 (you must be affiliated with a college, university or high school)
Add $50 service fee if you require a prior invoice, or if you need to submit a purchase order or voucher, pay by wire transfer or EFT, or refund and reprocess a prior payment. Please use this printed registration form, for these and other special orders.
Note: Courses may fill up at any time and registrations are processed in the order in which they are received. Your registration will be confirmed for the first available course date, unless you specify otherwise.