This course introduces the fundamentals of structural equation modeling (SEM) models (e.g, path models, confirmatory factor analysis, longitudinal models, etc.), and teaches how to analyze data in Mplus.
We offer a five-day course on how to perform basic structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses using Mplus, where you can interact with Mplus experts. No previous knowledge of Mplus is assumed, but prior knowledge of SEM, although not mandatory, will make this course more useful.
Many researchers in the social and behavioral sciences are using, or want to use, SEM to investigate their theories. Mplus is a popular and flexible software package for doing SEM.
The course starts with an introduction on how to use Mplus to perform regression analysis and how to ‘communicate’ with Mplus (e.g. how to specify a model, and how to deal with error messages). In the following days, basic models relevant for social scientists will be discussed, including multiple group models, confirmatory factor analysis, and cross-lagged panel models, and important topics such as moderation, mediation and testing for measurement invariance are covered. These days consist of lectures by Mplus experts and computer labs where participants practice with Mplus. On the last day, you can meet with Mplus experts for individual consultation, and work on your own data.
Prerequisites
Researchers are expected to have a basic knowledge of regression analysis (e.g., know how to perform basic statistical tests such as t-test and how to interpret model parameters, as well as the standard errors and p-values) . These techniques are discussed in most books on multivariate statistics (e.g., Andy Field: Discovering Statistics; Tabachnick and Fidell: Using multivariate statistics).
Some knowledge of SEM and software like AMOS, LISREL, Mx or EQS is helpful, but not mandatory. If you have no experience with SEM, please read the following paper: Hox, J. J. & Bechger, T.M. (2007). An introduction to structural equation modelling. Family Science Review, 11, 354-373. Accessible via https://www.joophox.net/publist/semfamre.pdf
No previous knowledge of Mplus is assumed. You also do not need to have any knowledge of matrix algebra, calculus, or likelihood theory.
Recommended combination & Related courses
A good follow-up is our summer course ‘Advanced longitudinal modeling in Mplus’ (S23), in which participants learn to use SEM to analyze longitudinal data.
The substantive content of this course largely overlaps with the summer course Structural Equation Modeling in R using lavaan (S65), where each have their own specializations. These two courses can, therefore, be viewed as largely equivalent alternatives that target different audiences by employing different software (i.e. Mplus vs lavaan) and instructional formats (i.e. on-location vs online/e-learning).”
We also offer tailor-made M&S courses and in-house M&S training. If you want to check out the possibilities, please contact us at ms.summerschool@uu.nl
More information
You will receive a certificate upon course completion. Please be aware that this course does not include graded activities, and therefore we cannot provide a transcript of grades.
Participants are requested to bring their own laptop. If needed, software will be available online (please make sure to install this before the start of the course, you will receive an e-mail with information about this).
Prof. dr. Ellen Hamaker, dr. Beth Grandfield, dr. Jeroen Mulder
Participants (Research master Students, PhD students, or post-graduate researchers) from a variety of fields, including sociology, psychology, education, human development, marketing, business, biology, medicine, political science, and communication sciences may benefit from the course.
Please note that the selection for this course will be done on a first-come-first-served basis. Also note that there is always a one-day delay between the registration system and the information on the website about the availability of places.
For an overview of all our summer school courses offered by the Department of Methodology and Statistics please click here.
The main objective of the course is to acquire a basic understanding of how to use Mplus for SEM as applied in the social and behavioral sciences. Moreover, participants will learn how to analyse datasets with Mplus, to interpret the output and to report the results.
Learning goals per day:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Four to five full days.
Day 1: The morning session consists of lectures. In the afternoon session, participants obtain hands-on Mplus experience with the discussed topics and models during a computer lab.
Days 2-4: Both the morning and afternoon sessions consist of lectures followed by a computer lab where everyone can practice working with Mplus.
Day 5 (optional): Both the morning and afternoon sessions consist of individual consultations with Mplus experts and room to work on your own data. In the morning, we also provide some Q&A sessions for some of the learned topics
PhD students from the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences at Utrecht University have the opportunity to attend three Winter/Summer School courses funded by the Graduate School of Social and Behavioural Sciences. Additionally, they may choose to take as many courses as they wish at their own expense from their personal budget.
There are no scholarships for this course.
The housing costs do not include a Utrecht Summer School sleeping bag. This is a separate product on the invoice. If you wish to bring your own bedding, please deselect or remove the sleeping bag from your order.
