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Module Availability |
Spring semester |
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Assessment Pattern |
Units of Assessment
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Method(s)
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Percentage Weighting
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Examination
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One hour, unseen paper
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50%
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Practical Report
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Report of Computer Analyses
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50%
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Module Overview |
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Prerequisites/Co-requisites |
Undergraduate level statistics, preparatory suggested reading.
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Module Aims |
This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the philosophy underlying psychological research using covariance structure modelling techniques. |
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Learning Outcomes |
Upon successful completion of themodule, you will be able to:
- to critically assess research using covariance structure models in the psychological literature.
- apply causal modelling techniques to real data set and be able to interpret output from these analyses in a sophisticated and reflective manner.
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Module Content |
Week 1 Introduction to model testing and model comparison. Model implications vs. observations. Week 2 Specifying measurement models and confirmatory factor analysis. LISREL demonstration. Week 3 Estimation methods. Estimation problems. Assessing model ‘fit’. Model modification. Week 4 Alternative fit indices. Running a full CFA job in LISREL Week 5 Short answer test. Practical problem solving. Week 6 Structural model specification. The full LISREL model. Practical work. Week 7 Types of structural model. Recursive and non-recursive models. Practical work. Week 8 Data preparation using PRELIS. Practical work. Week 9 Other applications: Modelling group means. Multi-group applications. Practical work. Week 10 Limitations in SEM. Recent debates and issues on SEMNET. Help with project problems. |
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Methods of Teaching/Learning |
Combination of lectures and computer-based exercises. |
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Selected Texts/Journals |
Essential Reading
You should read the introductory sections of one of the following prior to Week 1.
Ullman, J.B. (2007). Structural Equation Modelling. In Tabachnik, B.G. & Fidell, L.S. Using Multivariate Statistics (5th ed). Pearson Education Inc., Boston..
Maruyama, G.M. (1997). Basics of Structural Equation Modeling. Thousand Oaks, CA : Sage Publications
You should download a free 'student' copy of LISEREL from http://www.ssicentral.com
Recommended Reading
SEMNET (http://www.gsu.edu/~mkteer/semnet.html) contains answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) and details of how to join its e-mail based discussion group.
Hayduk, L.A. (1987) Structural Equation Modeling with LISREL: Essentials and Advances. Baltimore; Johns Hopkins University Press. |
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Last Updated |
4th August 2010 |
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