Duration
30h Th, 30h Pr
Number of credits
| Master in psychology (120 ECTS) | 6 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The formulation of increasingly complex theories in the field of social sciences as well as the quantitive analysis of data based on these theories are facilitated at this moment, on the one hand, thanks to sophisticated methods of statistical analysis and, on the other hand, to the existence of specific and adequate statistical softwares. In this context, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) primarily makes it possible to confirm the validity of theories concerning complex situations, among others those characterized by the presence of latent or unobserved variables. These methods are also known under other names such as "causal modeling" and "analysis of covariance structures".
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
The principal objective of the course is to familiarize the students with the basic concepts and procedures used in the specification, identification, valuation and adjustment of structural models. These concepts are illustrated by using concrete examples. The course will enable the students to use the latest version of MPlus software for Windows (Muthén & Muthén), while minimizing the use of the matrix algebra that is normally used for this type of modelling. A package of the R software for structural equation modeling will be also presented.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
To have a basic knowledge of statistics. The knowledge of the concepts of linear regression and factor analysis is an additional asset. To be familiar with the use of a statistical software.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The course is organized in the form of theoretical seminars and practical workshops. Exercises are proposed within the framework of those classes and are solved by individual work on a computer.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)
All the classes take place in the computer room (CAFEIM), which gives each student the possibility to work on a computer individually and to solve concrete applications.
Recommended or required readings
Muthén, L.K. and Muthén, B.O. (1998-2012), Mplus User's Guide, Seventh Edition, Los Angeles, CA: Muthén and Muthén, (electronic version), 2014.
Pérée F.P., Analyse des structures de covariance, Utilisation du logiciel MPlus, Syllabus of course, University of Liege Editions, 2015.
Assessment methods and criteria
The evaluation test lasts three hours. Each student must solve, by himself and on a computer, several problems related to the analysis of covariance structures. The students may use their course book, personal notes and examples of MPlus programs. The answers to the questions of the examination must be written down on the personalized questionnaire that each student received at the beginning of the examination.
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
Contacts
UNIVERSITY OF LIEGE Service of Quantitative Psychology Sart Tilman B32 Quartier AGORA Place des Orateurs, 2 B-4000 Liège BELGIUM Tél : +32 4 366 22 31 e-mail : fperee@uliege.be