Understanding the Bootstrap
In modern research, one of the most fundamental challenges is uncertainty. Whenever we collect data, whether from surveys, experiments, or observational studies, we want to…
Category: Help Desk
Discover the Power of Qualitative Research
CenterStat Launches Four New Applied Workshops In a world overflowing with data, it’s easy to assume that numbers tell the whole story. But while quantitative…
Why CenterStat is the Best Choice for Online Statistics Training
In today’s data-driven world, statistics isn’t just a tool: it’s a necessity. Whether you’re a researcher, graduate student, data analyst, or academic professional, high-quality statistical…
How CenterStat Workshops Empower Researchers at Every Level
In the ever-evolving world of scientific research, having the right analytical tools—and the confidence to use them—is essential. At CenterStat, we understand that researchers face…
What is a suppressor variable, and how does this differ from confounding and mediation?
A constant source of confusion within the multiple regression model (and the general linear model more broadly) relates to the terms suppression and s…
What are ROC curves and how are these used to aid decision making?
ROC curves are used to identify cut points on continuous measures at which to make binary decisions. An example is a depression screener used to ident…
What exactly qualifies as intensive longitudinal data and why am I not able to use more traditional growth models to study stability and change over time?
This post considers the unique features of intensive longitudinal data (ILD) relative to other more traditional data structures and how we can appropr…
What’s the best way to determine the number of latent classes in a finite mixture analysis?
Selecting the number of classes (or components) is one of the most challenging decisions to make when fitting a finite mixture model (including latent…
My advisor told me to use principal components analysis to examine the structure of my items and compute scale scores, but I was taught not to use it because it is not a “true” factor analysis. Help!
We explain the difference between principal components analysis and exploratory factor analysis
I fit a multilevel model and got the warning message “G Matrix is Non-Positive Definite.” What does this mean and what should I do about it?
Received the cryptic warning message "G matrix is non-positive definite"? Learn what this means and what to do about it.