Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling

The Centre for Statistics of Ghent University in co-operation with the Institute for Continuing Education in Science (ICES) organizes a yearly series of courses to meet the needs of users of statistical methods. Module 8 of this series deals with Structural Equation Modeling, and in 2012 this two-days course will be given by Anne Boomsma on April 10 and 11 at the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, H. Dunantlaan 1, Ghent.

Contents and Objectives
The purpose of the course is to provide a theoretical introduction to the analysis of covariance structures, or structural equation modeling as it is called, and to gain practical experience with this type of modeling using LISREL software mainly.

For the description and analysis of theory-based directed relationships between several variables simultaneously, it is possible to construct models that can be visualized as path diagrams. The first aim of the researcher is to formulate an underlying structure of relations between variables (latent variables or hypothetical constructs) on the basis of theoretical considerations. By means of a random sample of covariances between observed variables, the next step is to examine the discrepancy between the postulated model and these sample data. The set of directed relations between the variables in a structural equation model, also known as a covariance structure, may be regarded as a complex `regression model'. The observed variables, being indicators of latent variables in such models, may be subject to measurement error which can be modeled as well. Social scientists use these types of models more and more frequently, whether justified from a statistical point of view or not. The LISREL (LInear Structural RELations) program, together with its preprocessor PRELIS, supports these analyses.

The course offers an introduction to the theoretical backgrounds of the statistical analysis of structural equation models. By means of practical assignments participants may learn how to construct covariance structure models, how to work with the LISREL and PRELIS program, and how to interpret the results of such analyses.

Course Material

• Copies of lecture notes will be provided in advance.
  

• Boomsma, A. (2008). Covariantiestructuuranalyse. Ongepubliceerd manuscript, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Vakgroep Statistiek & Meettheorie. Recommended to all Dutch-speaking participants.
  
  
• Bollen, K.A. (1989). Structural equations with latent variables (1st ed). New York: Wiley. [ISBN 978-0471011711]. This quite advanced, classic textbook is recommended if you plan to study the topic in depth.
  
  
• Brown, T.A. (2006). Confirmatory factor analysis for applied research. New York: The Guilford Press. [ISBN 978-1593852740]. This book is recommended if your primarily focus is the application of strucural equation modeling rather than an understanding of its statistical features.
  
  

Provisional Program

Wednesday, April 11, 2012
09.00 - 09.45  Identification problems; estimation methods
10.00 - 10.45  Exercises
11.00 - 12.00  Discussion exercises
12.00 - 13.00  Lunch
13.00 - 13.45  Model evaluation and modification
14.00 - 14.45  How to deal with ordinal, categorical variables?
15.15 - 16.00  Exercises
16.15 - 17.00  Reporting analyses of covariance structures, or How to publish?

Detailed Information, Participation and Registration
For details on participation and registration those interested are referred to the necessary information provided online.


Goto top

Back to Homepage of Anne Boomsma


Update:  November 1, 2011