Resources in Research Design, Measurement, and Statistical Analysis

Psychology 9555A. Structural Equation Modeling

This course serves as an introduction to structural equation modeling (SEM), a very flexible technique for modeling relationships among variables. The course assumes no prior experience with SEM, and it is intended as both a theoretical and practical introduction. However, students will benefit from previous knowledge of multiple linear regression, factor analysis, and psychometric principles of reliability and construct validity. Software packages demonstrated in the course will include Mplus and AMOS. Course topics will include confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), traditional path analysis, and basic principles of model building including specification, identification, estimation, hypothesis testing, and modification. The overall objective of this course is to provide students with the necessary knowledge to apply SEM to research in scale construction and evaluation, construct validation, theoretical development and special designs involving mediation and moderation, multi-group analyses, and latent growth modeling.

The course textbook is Kline, R. B. (2011). Principles and Practice of Structural Equation Modeling. Third Edition. New York : Guilford Press.

Prerequisite: must have taken Psychology 9540 (Research Design) or obtained the permission of the instructor. Class size is limited to 15 students and there will be no audits. If accepted into the course, Val will add the course to your academic record.

Half course (0.5); one term. Wednesdays, 9:00 am to 12:00 noon, SSC 8438/8440. Start date: Wednesday, September 11, 2013. Course outline for Fall 2013 pdf

Resources

Thinking About Your Model: A Set of Heuristics

Multiple Regression: Understanding Assumptions

Converting an SPSS Data File for Mplus: Procedure

Writing the Measurement Model Report