• “Modeling Growth Using Multilevel and Alternative Approaches” by Janet K. Holt (pp. 111-159): Janet gently explains data requirements and assumptions as well as forms of data (multivarite/wide data layout vs. person-period/long data layout). In addition, Table 4.5 (pp. 154-155) provides a consice overview to strengths and limitations of three alternative growth curve modeling methods.
• “Reporting Results from Multilevel Analyses” by John M. Ferron et al. (pp. 391-426): John and several other colleagues provides a valuable guideline and many suggestions for what to present when reporting results from multilevel analysis and how to present these results (text vs. tables vs. figures).
• “Software Options for Multilevel Models” by J. Kyle Roberts and Patrick McLeod (pp. 427-467): Kyle and Patrick provide a well organized, brief explanations of the most popular multilevel software packages (MLwiN, HLM, SAS, S-PLUS, R, SPSS, Mplus, and STATA).

on Monday 13th December, 2010
and repeated on Tuesday 14th December, 2010

The price for the course is £250, with a student rate of £175

Details of the course are given below: for further information and to book a place, go to http://www.figureitout.org.uk

This course is also available on an inhouse basis; see http://www.figureitout.org.uk for more details.

******* Course details are as follows: *******

-|- Introduction to Structural Equation Modelling using MPlus -|-

Monday 13th December, 2010, and repeated on Tuesday 14th December, 2010

at the Social Sciences Building, City University, St John Street, London

-|- Who is the course aimed at?
This course is aimed at two distinct groups; those seeking a beginners’ course in Path Analysis techniques such as Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA); and those with some previous experience of Structural Equation Modelling who wish to learn to use the powerful and elegant MPlus software, which can be employed in an incredibly wide range of model fitting scenarios.

-|- Course level:
A basic knowledge of Exploratory Factor Analysis and the ideas behind multiple regression analysis will be advantageous to participants. No previous knowledge or experience with SEM or Mplus is assumed

-|- Course content and aims:
The course will cover the following topics:
- Introduction to Path Analysis – what is it and why do we need it?
- Assessing the fit of a Structural Equation Model
- Comparing competing Structural Equation Models
- Preparing and importing data into Mplus from SPSS
- Getting started with analysis in MPlus – the basics of the language
- Fitting a simple Confirmatory Factor Analysis in Mplus
- Fitting a simple Structural Equation Model in Mplus
- Testing for indirect effects in Structural Equation Models
- Fitting Structural Equation Models with missing data
- Including Categorical variables in Structural Equation Models
- Multiple group analysis

-|- Course Format:
The course comprises of a mixture of short lectures on the basic theory behind Structural Equation Models, teaching via examples worked through by the trainer on real data sets which participants can follow, and exercises to practice the skills just learned. You will also receive a 50-page coursebook containing all the notes and worked examples, providing an easy reference for the basics of performing SEM in MPLus, and as a reminder for the techniques you have learned.

-|- Course schedule:
The course will start at 9.30am, with a lunch break from 1pm-2pm, and short coffee breaks at 11.30am and 3.30pm. It will finish at around 5.15-5.30pm, though I will be willing to stay on for a while after this to answer questions pertinent to participants’ own data sets or any other Structural Equation Modelling queries you may have.

For further information and to book a place, go to http://www.figureitout.org.uk

-|- The trainer:
Dr Chris Stride has been using SPSS in his work as a statistician and data manager for the last 12 years. He has particular experience and expertise in teaching non-statisticians from the fields of psychology, HR, management and the social sciences. He is a Chartered Statistician and a member of the ASSESS (UK and European SPSS Users Group) Committee; and has been running statistical training courses at the University of Sheffield and on an inhouse basis to Universities and Public Sector organisations over the past few years.

Christian Geiser’s book “Datenanalyse mit Mplus” is now published. We recommend this book to everyone using Mplus in Germany because this book contains not only a plethora of screenshots but also Mplus outfile tables. Further, the book is accompanied by several data files. Hip Hip Hooray to Christian!

Check out the Publishers Website for more details.

Model 1: configural invariance
chisq      df  pvalue    cfi    tli  rmsea       bic
18.570 26.000   0.854  1.000  1.010  0.000  9979.522

Model 2: weak invariance (equal loadings):
chisq      df  pvalue    cfi    tli  rmsea       bic
25.096 31.000   0.763  1.000  1.007  0.000  9956.090

[Model 1 versus model 2]
delta.chisq  df  p.value  delta.cfi
6.53   5  0.25838     0.0000

Model 3: strong invariance (equal loadings + equal intercepts):
chisq       df  pvalue    cfi    tli  rmsea        bic
28.078  36.000   0.824  1.000  1.008  0.000  10012.996

[Model 1 versus model 3]
delta.chisq  df  p.value  delta.cfi
9.51  10  0.48469     0.0000

[Model 2 versus model 3]
delta.chisq  df  p.value  delta.cfi
2.98   5  0.70275     0.0000

Model 4: equal loadings + intercepts + means:
chisq      df  pvalue     cfi    tli  rmsea        bic
31.045  38.000    0.781  1.000  1.008  0.000  10003.979

[Model 1 versus model 4]
delta.chisq  df  p.value  delta.cfi
12.47 12  0.40837     0.0000

[Model 3 versus model 4]
delta.chisq  df  p.value  delta.cfi
2.97   2  0.22687     0.0000

The aim of the Mplus user group is to bring together users of Mplus and to share information, learn about new developments and discuss solutions for typical Mplus problems. We will organize such meetings twice a year for all interested researchers (applied researchers, statisticians & methodologists). The entire day will be in english.

Every user-meeting will start with a key-note presentation in combination with a practical. In the afternoon, two or three ’thirty-minute’ presentations will discuss developments in Mplus. The remainder of the day is scheduled for discussing Mplus problems and solutions.

Every researcher can shortly present a problem, error message or other modeling issue with the audience, and receive instant feedback.

Registration is possible by sending an email to Rens van de Schoot: a.g.j.vandeschoot@uu.nl

In order to cover the organizational costs, participation costs are 50,-

More information can be found on www.tiny.cc/mplus.

—————————————————————————————————————–

Preliminary program 27th October:

09:00-10:30 Key-note: Prof. dr. Joop Hox
Joop Hox will talk about Mplus version 6 which allows for Bayesian data
analysis. In particular, he will discuss the differences between
handling missing data using Full Information Maximum Likelihood (the
default option of Mplus) and multiple imputation of plausible values
using Bayesian estimation (ESTIMATOR = BAYES;). Moreover, Bayesian data
analysis in general will be discussed including how to chose priors
(MODEL PRIORS;), posterior results (POINT = MEDIAN/MEAN/MODE;) and when
to use the option Bayesian in the fist place. During the computer
practical we will practice Bayesian imputation and estimation.

10.45 – 12.00  Short presentations (three minutes):
You can register for such a presentation by sending us an e-mail. Please
let us know the topic of your ‘problem’ so we can plan the meeting
according to different topics.

12:00 – 13:30 Lunch (not included)

13:30 – 15:00   Thirty-minute presentations:
ESEM: apart from confirmatory analyses, Mplus features the possibility
to do Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling. The possibilities and
benefits are illustrated with factor analysis models.
How to conduct mediation analyses in Mplus using the MODEL INDIRECT
command
How to deal with inequality constraints between regression coefficients
in Mplus (MODEL CONSTRAINT) using the parametric bootstrap procedure
(MONTECARLO).

15:00 – 16:30     Short presentations (three minutes):
You can register for such a presentation by sending us an e-mail. Please
let us know the topic of your ‘problem’ so we can plan the meeting
according to different topics.

Especially notable is the super-simple implementation of multi-group and invariance testing which is way better than in Mplus and even easier than the wizard-thing in AMOS. Since measurement equivalence seems to be a hot topic nowadays in many social science applications, Yves’ ideas and implementation are very timely and useful. I am pretty sure we will add lavaan as a third option for our beginners and longitudinal workshops in the coming season (workshops are on hiatus until Jens and I have finished our PhD theses, by the way).

I have only run a few models yet but it seems like Lavaan is easier to use while OpenMX seems to support more advanced modeling, especially if you want to customize your SEM models or run simulations. Choice is good and both package will have a strong impact on the commercial offerings that have dominated the SEM market for a long time.

Thanks, Yves, for a great package, and kudos to Alexander Robitzsch for sending us the link!

• Place: Altes Schloss Dornburg near Jena, Großer Kaisersaal
• Time: July 14 to 16, 2010
• Language: english
• Aim of the symposium