Summary of Course:
This two-day course will provide an introduction to the structural equation modelling framework and illustrate what it can be used for by substantive analysts across the social sciences. In addition to covering the core ideas and principles of the SEM framework, course participants will be provided with hands-on experience of fitting a number of structural equation models to publicly available data. The presentation of ideas will be at the conceptual level. Formulae will be kept to a minimum. The focus of the course is on the application of structural equation models for addressing real substantive questions. Lab classes will use the software package Amos 20 and data examples will be drawn from the European Social Survey (ESS).
Course Objectives:
The course will include the following topics:
Target Audience:
The course is aimed at researchers (especially those in the social, educational and medical sciences), doctoral students, market researchers and those engaged in research in the public and third sectors who wish to familiarise themselves with structural equation modelling and how it can be used to address substantive research questions.
Course Fees:
Thanks to continued ESRC funding we are able to offer this course at reduced rates as follows:
The course fee includes course materials, lunches and morning and afternoon refreshments. Travel and accommodation are to be arranged and paid for by the participant.
Course places are limited and early registration is strongly recommended.
Deadline and Refunds:
Course places are limited and early registration is strongly recommended. Please be aware that we will only hold a place without payment for a limited time.
Please refer to the terms and conditions of the University of Southampton online store when booking. An administration charge of £30 may apply for cancellations. No refunds can be provided for cancellations less than 28 days prior to the start of the course.
Location and Accommodation:
The course will be held at the Southampton Statistical Sciences Research Institute, Building 39, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ. Participants will need to make their own accommodation arrangements. Maps and travel information are available from the University of Southampton Travel Page . This also includes a map of the Highfield Campus . Building 39 is at the end of Salisbury Road edging onto Southampton Common.
Duration:
This is a 2-day course. The course will begin with coffee and registration at 9.30am with formal teaching starting at 10.00am on the first day. It will finish at around 5.00pm on the second day.
Pre-requisites:
All participants must be competent in the use of a PC and the Windows environment. They should also be familiar with basic statistical theory, including inference and multiple linear regression. Familiarity with the principles and practice of factor analysis would be useful but is not a pre-requisite. No prior knowledge of Structural Equation Modelling software will be assumed.
Course Materials:
Participants will receive written course notes.
The Instructor:
Patrick Sturgis is Professor of Research Methodology at the University of Southampton and Director of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods. He is Principal Investigator of the Wellcome Trust Monitor study and President of the European Survey Research Association. His main research interests are in the areas of survey and statistical methods, public opinion and political behaviour, particularly regarding social cohesion and trust and public attitudes to science and technology.
Preparatory Reading:
For participants who wish to do background reading, the following references may be useful.