SHORT COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling
This three-day course assumes no prior experience with SEM, and is intended as both a theoretical and practical introduction. An understanding of SEM will be developed by relating it to participants’ previous knowledge of multiple linear regression, and then by expanding it to allow for correlated and causally related latent constructs. We will start with path analysis among measured variables, move into confirmatory factor models, then structural models involving latent causality, and finally into multi-group models and a preview of more advanced topics. Examples from a variety of disciplines will be accompanied by input and output using the Mplus software package. Throughout the course participants will be able to do practice exercises using Mplus; participants are strongly encouraged to bring their own laptop PCs to do these exercises.
Advanced Topics in Structural Equation Modeling
This two-day course assumes experience with introductory level SEM, such as that provided in our three-day introductory course (immediately preceding this course, or taken previously) or from a fairly typical university course exposure elsewhere. Content covered will draw, as time allows, from such topics as: latent means models, latent interactions, latent growth models, categorical data, complex samples / multilevel structural equation models, and power analysis in SEM. Although this material is necessarily more complex, it will be presented in an approachable hands-on manner for the applied researcher. Throughout the course participants will be able to do practice exercises using Mplus; participants are strongly encouraged to bring their own laptop PCs to do these exercises.
TARGET AUDIENCE
Graduate students, emerging researchers, continuing researchers
REQUISITE KNOWLEDGE
Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling
Participants should have a foundational knowledge up through multiple regression. Prior experience with exploratory factor analysis and multivariate methods is a plus, but not required.
Advanced Topics in Structural Equation Modeling
Participants should have a solid foundation in introductory structural equation modeling. Prior experience with the Mplus software is not required.
SOFTWARE
Models and hands-on exercises for this workshop will be done using the Mplus software. Students are welcome to bring the package loaded on their own computer, although this is not required.
DATES AND TIMES
Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling
January 4-6, 2016: 9:00-4:30 (check-in 8:30)
Advanced Topics in Structural Equation Modeling
January 7-8, 2016: 9:00-4:30 (check-in 8:30)
Continental Breakfast*: 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Morning Session: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Lunch (on your own): 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Afternoon Session: 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM
* Participants who have special dietary needs or preferences are welcome to bring their own food as well.
LOCATION
Benjamin Banneker Room
Adele H. Stamp Student Union
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
COMMENTS FROM PAST PARTICIPANTS
Click here.
COURSE FEES
(seats limited)
Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling
$595 for all three days; $395 for full-time students (free for registered HDQM Department faculty and students, although you must register.)
Advanced Topics in Structural Equation Modeling
$495 fee for both days; $345 for full-time students (free for registered HDQM Department faculty and students, although you must register.)
Discount for taking both short courses: $995 fee for all five days; $695 for full-time students. (free for registered HDQM Department faculty and students, although you must register.)
HOW TO REGISTER
Short-course registration form
NEARBY AIRPORTS
DIRECTIONS: DRIVING
From Baltimore and Points North
- Take I-95 South to Washington, D.C.'s Capital Beltway (I-495).
- Take Exit 27 and then follow signs to Exit 25 (U.S. 1 South toward College Park).
- Proceed approximately two miles south on U.S. Route 1.
- Turn right into Campus Drive entrance (main gate).
- Proceed up Campus Dr to the "M" circle, go halfway around the circle and continue on Campus Dr (second right after entering the circle).
- Proceed up Campus Dr to the "M" circle, go halfway around the circle and continue on Campus Dr (second right after entering the circle) until you see Stamp Student Union on your right side.
From Virginia and Points South
- Take I-95 North to Washington, D.C.'s Capital Beltway (I-495).
- Continue North on I-95/I-495 toward Baltimore.
- Take Exit 25 (U.S. 1 South toward College Park).
- Proceed approximately two miles south on U.S. Route 1.
- Turn right into Campus Drive entrance (main gate).
- Proceed up Campus Dr to the "M" circle, go halfway around the circle and continue on Campus Dr (second right after entering the circle) until you see Stamp Student Union on your right side.
From Virginia and Points West
- Take I-66 East or I-270 South to Washington, D.C.'s Capital Beltway (I-495).
- Go East on I-495 toward Baltimore/Silver Spring.
- Take Exit 25 (U.S. 1 South toward College Park).
- Proceed approximately two miles south on U.S. Route 1.
- Turn right into Campus Drive entrance (main gate).
- Proceed up Campus Dr to the "M" circle, go halfway around the circle and continue on Campus Dr (second right after entering the circle) until you see Stamp Student Union on your right side.
From Annapolis and Points East
- Take U.S. 50 to Washington, D.C.'s Capital Beltway (I-495).
- Go North on I-95/I-495 toward Baltimore.
- Take Exit 25 (U.S. 1 South toward College Park).
- Proceed approximately two miles south on U.S. Route 1.
- Turn right into Campus Drive entrance (main gate).
- Proceed up Campus Dr to the "M" circle, go halfway around the circle and continue on Campus Dr (second right after entering the circle) until you see Stamp Student Union on your right side.
From Washington, D.C. (Northwest/Southwest)
- Take 16th St. North which becomes Georgia Ave. North at Maryland/D.C. line.
- Go East on I-495 toward Baltimore.
- Take Exit 25 (U.S. 1 South toward College Park).
- Proceed approximately two miles south on U.S. Route 1.
- Turn right into Campus Drive entrance (main gate).
- Proceed up Campus Dr to the "M" circle, go halfway around the circle and continue on Campus Dr (second right after entering the circle) until you see Stamp Student Union on your right side.
From Washington, D.C. (Northeast/Southeast)
- Take Rhode Island Ave. (U.S. 1 North) which becomes Baltimore Ave. North at Maryland/D.C. line.
- Proceed through the city of College Park.
- Turn left at Campus Drive entrance (main gate).
- Proceed up Campus Dr to the "M" circle, go halfway around the circle and continue on Campus Dr (second right after entering the circle) until you see Stamp Student Union on your right side.
VISITOR PARKING
Participants may park at the Union Lane Garage (located between the Adele H. Stamp Student Union and Cole Field House) for a daily fee. There are numerous metered spaces on campus but the University police are diligent about ticketing cars at expired meters as well as cars without appropriate stickers in reserved parking lots.
More information about parking on University of Maryland Campus can be found at the web site: http://www.cvs.umd.edu/visitors/parking.html
METRO (SUBWAY)
The Campus is conveniently located approximately 1 mile from the College Park-University of Maryland Metro Station. The stop is on the green line of the D.C. Metro System. The University of Maryland Shuttle Bus runs from the College Park Metro stop on a twenty-minute schedule through the Campus. Or, a brisk twenty minute walk up a moderate hill through the Campus will bring you to all locations.
D.C. Metro Map: http://www.wmata.com/rail/maps/map.cfm
ACCOMMODATIONS
Participants are responsible for arranging their own accommodations. For out-of-town guests, there are several sources of accommodations in the immediate area. Information about hotel pricing and reservations can be found at the web site: http://www.cvs.umd.edu/visitors/offcampus.html. Note that participants will need to make their own arrangements for transportation to and from campus.
[Note that there is a hotel located on the edge of the University of Maryland campus: The Marriott Inn & Conference Center, University of Maryland University College. For more information about this hotel, visit: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/wasum-college-park-marriott-hotel-and-conference-center/
Gregory R. Hancock is Professor, Distinguished Scholar-Teacher, and Director of the Measurement, Statistics and Evaluation program in the Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology at the University of Maryland, College Park, and Director of the Center for Integrated Latent Variable Research (CILVR). His research interests include structural equation modeling and latent growth models, and the use of latent variables in (quasi)experimental design. His research has appeared in such journals as Psychometrika, Multivariate Behavioral Research, Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal, Psychological Bulletin, British Journal of Mathematical and Statistical Psychology, Journal of Educational and Behavioral Statistics, Educational and Psychological Measurement, Review of Educational Research, and Communications in Statistics: Simulation and Computation. He also co-edited with Ralph O. Mueller the volumes Structural Equation Modeling: A Second Course (2006; 2013) and The Reviewer's Guide to Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences (2010), with Karen M. Samuelsen the volume Advances in Latent Variable Mixture Models (2008), and with Jeffrey R. Harring the volume Advances in Longitudinal Methods in the Social and Behavioral Sciences (2012). He is past chair of the SEM special interest group of the American Educational Research Association (three terms), serves on the editorial board of a number of journals including Psychological Methods and Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal, and has taught dozens of methodological workshops in the United States, Canada, and abroad. He also received the 2011 Jacob Cohen Award for Distinguished Contributions to Teaching and Mentoring by the American Psychological Association. Dr. Hancock holds a Ph.D. from the University of Washington. He may be reached at ghancock@umd.edu.