Introduction to Structural Equation Models: 4-Part Series
Structural equation modeling (SEM), also known as an analysis of covariance structures, is a broad data-analytic framework with versatility and unique capabilities. SEM establishes the efficiency of a model created while testing hypothetical relationships among theoretical constructs and relationships between the constructs and their observed indicators. SEM is a more technical and complex technique when compared to conducting regression models. Common challenges and mistakes that scholars may face include omitting variables, ignoring lower-order model components, and/or making incorrect decisions about the model being well-fitted.
This four-part webinar series will provide the skills to conduct different types of structural equation models and how to avoid common mistakes.
- In part 1, attendees will learn how to conduct a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Also known as the measurement model, this technique estimates the paths between each independent variable (i.e., observed variable) and the dependent variable (i.e., latent variable).
- Part 2 of the webinar series will introduce attendees to path analysis, a type of structural equation modeling without latent variables, which simultaneously tests multiple outcomes and indirect effects.
- For part 3, structural regression models—also known as path analysis with latent variables—are discussed. This technique combines skills learned during the previous two webinars to assess outcomes or predictors in a path analysis with latent variables.
- Finally, part 4 will cover latent growth curve modeling, expanding the ability to assess changes over time when considering underlying processes.
Participants will receive handouts and fictional datasets for each webinar to practice the skills being taught during and after the webinar.
Webinar content will be viewed through the lens of family-related research. The importance of emphasizing theory to guide model-building will be emphasized. Thus, participants will gain comfort in interpreting results from structural equation models and applying the analytic technique in their own research.
Please note: Each session will build on the knowledge presented in the previous session. If you are interested in attending the second, third, or fourth webinar in the series, we highly recommend that you register for and attend the previous webinars in the series.
Webinar 1: Introduction to Confirmatory Factor Analysis
July 31, 2023 | 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. CT | Madison Shea Smith, Ph.D.
This webinar will introduce confirmatory factor analysis, a statistical method used to test how well observed variables represent theoretical constructs of interest. This set of statistical procedures is regularly leveraged to understand the structure of instruments (e.g., questionnaires to identify depression). During this webinar, attendees will learn about how to define confirmatory constructs, develop a measurement model, and assess the resulting model.
Overall, attendees will leave this webinar with the ability to:
- Explain the fundamentals of confirmatory factor analysis
- Describe the common uses of confirmatory factor analysis
- Perform a confirmatory factor analysis
- Interpret the results of a confirmatory factor analysis
Approved for 1.5 hours of CFLE continuing education credit.
Purchase all 4 Webinars On Demand
Webinar 2: Introduction to Path Analysis
August 15, 2023 | 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. CT | Isaac Washburn, Ph.D.
The second webinar on structural equation modeling will introduce path analysis. A precursor to and subset of structural equation modeling, this technique evaluates structural models by examining the relationships between two or more dependent variables and two or more independent variables, effectively distinguishing direct from indirect effects. Path analysis also tests the strength of hypothesized patterns of causal relationships. Attendees will explore the fundamentals and common uses of path analysis in the context of family-related research, and gain comfort in interpreting results from this technique so that it can be applied to their own research.
Overall, attendees will leave this webinar with the ability to:
- Explain the fundamentals of path analysis
- Describe how path analysis can be used in research
- Perform path analysis in statistical softwares
- Interpret the results of path analysis
Approved for 1.5 hours of CFLE continuing education credit.
Purchase all 4 Webinars On Demand
Webinar 3: Introduction to Structural Regression
August 23, 2023 | 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. CT | Isaac Washburn, Ph.D.
Building upon the previous webinars in the Introduction to Structural Equation Models series, attendees of webinar 3 will learn how to conduct a structural regression model, a technique that allows researchers to conduct path analysis with latent variables. Specifically, structural regression models use confirmatory factor analysis to make estimates about a measurement model. Hypotheses about the direct and indirect effects among observed or latent variables are tested through the structural component of the model. Attendees will learn more about model fit and modification indices, and the specification, identification, and interpretation of structural regression models.
Overall, attendees will leave this webinar with the ability to:
- Explain the fundamentals of structural regression models
- Define fit and modification indices
- Perform a structural regression model
- Interpret the results of a structural regression model
Approved for 1.5 hours of CFLE continuing education credit.
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Webinar 4: Introduction to Latent Growth Curve Modeling
August 29, 2023 | 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. CT | Madison Shea Smith, Ph.D.
Rescheduled to Thursday, Sept. 21 | 12:30 – 2 p.m. CST
Rescheduled to Wednesday, Sept. 20 | 1:30 – 3 p.m. CST
This webinar is the final webinar in the Introduction to Structural Equation Models four-part webinar series. Latent growth curve modeling is widely used by developmental and behavioral researchers to study growth trajectories. This technique is relatively flexible due to its ability to allow for complex relationships but can also be challenging to perform because of the need to have multiple data points. Attendees will be presented with a step-by-step approach to setting up, analyzing, and interpreting a latent growth curve model to assist them in using this technique in their own research.
Overall, attendees will leave this webinar with the ability to:
- Explain the fundamentals of latent growth curve model
- Define the steps for forming a latent growth curve model
- Interpret the results of a latent growth curve model
Approved for 1.5 hours of CFLE continuing education credit.
Purchase all 4 Webinars On Demand
About this Series
This webinar series is part of the multi-year NCFR series Quantitative Methods: Learning and Practicing Beginner to Advanced Skills. Webinars from this series are great for individual use and as supplemental materials in research methods and statistics courses.
Although attendees can solely attend any one of the webinars, it is highly recommended that attendees register for all webinars to receive the full benefits of learning how to conduct structural equation models.
Single Pricing: $31 for NCFR student members / $52 for NCFR members & CFLEs / $94 for nonmembers & non-CFLEs / Become a member
Series Pricing: $83 for NCFR student members / $146 for NCFR members & CFLEs / $262 for nonmembers & non-CFLEs / Become a member
NCFR members receive discounts on their webinar registration. Become a member today and receive the full benefits of NCFR membership!
Each webinar is approved for 1.5 hours of CFLE continuing education credit. Taking all four webinars would result in 6 hours of CFLE continuing education credit.
Purchase all 4 Webinars On Demand
About the Presenters
Madison Shea Smith, Ph.D., (she/her/hers) is a NRSA Postdoctoral fellow at the Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing (ISGMH) at Northwestern University. Dr. Smith’s program of research seeks to understand how the presence and functioning of romantic relationships impact health, with an emphasis on sexual and gender minority communities. She has extensive experience with advanced quantitative techniques in performing this work, including structural measurement models, latent growth curve models, meta-analysis, dyadic (actor-partner interdependence) models, and intensive repeated measures. Prior to joining ISGMH, Dr. Smith earned her bachelor of arts from Oklahoma State University and her master of science and Ph.D. in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Purdue University. A clinical psychologist by training, Dr. Smith completed her clinical internship at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center/Oklahoma City VA Internship Training Consortium.
Isaac Washburn, Ph.D., is a professor and department chair of the Biobehavioral Health Sciences in the College of Nursing at the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center as well as the Fran and Earl Ziegler Endowed Chair. He received his Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Science from Oregon State University with an emphasis in quantitative methods. In addition to regularly teaching classes in advanced statistical modeling and methods, Dr. Washburn has been working on federally funded grants for over fifteen years. Dr. Washburn has regularly taught workshops on a variety of methods ranging from SEM, to missing data, to survival analysis. Dr. Washburn will be the Chair-Elect of the Research and Theory selection of NCFR beginning November 2021 and will serve as chair from November 2023 to November 2025. He has also co-chaired (twice) the day and half pre-conference workshop on Theory Construction and Research Methods at the annual conference for NCFR.
On-Demand Webinar Recording
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Classroom Use
Classroom and departmental use licenses allow faculty members to share the video in class or embed the video in their online learning management system. Departmental use licenses allow more than on faculty member to use the webinar in their class. We request that links or downloads are not shared with students.
Single Webinar Pricing
- License for classroom use by one professor is available for $141 for NCFR members, $215 for nonmembers.
- License for departmental use (multiple professors) is available for $194 for NCFR members, $341 for nonmembers.
- Departmental license for CFLE-approved programs is $167.
Series Webinar Pricing
- License for classroom use by one professor is available for $383 for NCFR members, $593 for nonmembers.
- License for departmental use (multiple professors) is available for $530 for NCFR members, $950* for nonmembers.
- Departmental license for CFLE-approved programs is $451.