SHORT COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling
This two-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 example code and output from the Mplus software package.  Throughout the course participants will be able to do practice exercises using Mplus; participants attending on-site 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 introductory short 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 attending on-site 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. Participants 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 3-4, 2017: 8:30-4:30 (check-in 8:00)

Advanced Topics in Structural Equation Modeling
January 5-6, 2017: 8:30-4:30 (check-in 8:00)

Continental Breakfast*:  8:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Morning Session:           8:30 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

Juan Ramon Jimenez Room, room 2208
Adele H. Stamp Student Union
University of Maryland
College Park, MD  20742

Link to campus maps

COMMENTS FROM PAST PARTICIPANTS

Click here.

COURSE FEES
(seats limited)

Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling
$495 for both days; $325 for full-time students (free for pre-registered HDQM Department faculty and students, although you must register). ON-LINE OPTION: $175 for both days. See below for details.

Advanced Topics in Structural Equation Modeling
$495 fee for both days; $325 for full-time students (free for pre-registered HDQM Department faculty and students, although you must register). ON-LINE OPTION: $175 for both days. See below for details.

Discount for taking both short courses: $895 fee for all four days; $595 for full-time students (free for pre-registered HDQM Department faculty and students, although you must register). ON-LINE OPTION: $295 for all four days. See below for details.

ON-LINE OPTION

Format: On-line participants will receive a personalized login code to use on their own computer to access a reliable live-stream of the workshop, showing the instructor as well as the handouts displayed on screen to on-site participants.

Materials: On-line participants will receive electronic copies of the workshop materials that on-site participants receive, as well as any other relevant materials or information.

Timing/access: On-line participants may choose to watch the stream synchronously, or may elect to watch a recording of the workshop asynchronously, or both. With DVR-like capabilities, and access to the recordings for one-week after the end of the workshop, this format allows on-line participants to choose when they engage. This is especially useful for on-line participants in different time zones, or anywhere in the world, who may choose to watch at some later time than (but within a week of) the actual workshop time. (Asynchronous participation does not include real-time chat with other on-line participants, although a visual record of prior chats will be viewable).

Technical support: Participants are assumed to be able to secure a reliable computer, internet browser, and Wi-Fi connection. Challenges at the user end must be resolved by the user. Fortunately, because the workshop is recorded, users experiencing technical challenges can still “catch up” by watching the recordings to which they have access.

Content support: Content support for on-line participants is limited to real-time chat with the on-line participant community and any quantitative methodology doctoral students who might also be participating. There is no mechanism for on-line participants to submit individual questions to the instructor.

Hands-on activities: On-line participants may choose to try any hands-on activities being done by on-site participants using their own computational facilities and software; however, support for such activities is limited to the on-site participants.

Cost: $175 for two-days of streaming content (introductory or advanced) or $295 for all four days-of streaming content, access to the workshop recordings for one week total, and electronic copies of all materials.

HOW TO REGISTER

Please register using the preferred on-line registration form:
On-line short-course registration form
(Note: For those students who are not in the HDQM department please fill out the paper registration form and upload it when prompted within the on-line registration system).

For those who prefer not to use the on-line registration system, please complete and submit the following paper registration form:
Paper short-course registration form

Note that it may take up to 7-10 business days for your registration to be processed.

QUESTIONS?

Contact Mr. Jordan Prendez -- umd.workshop@gmail.com

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/

THE INSTRUCTOR

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.