Growth Models with Time-Invariant Covariates
Once an optimal model of linear or nonlinear change has been established, it is often of interest to try to predict individual differences in change over time. In this installment of our Office Hours series on growth modeling, Patrick discusses how to incorporate time-invariant covariates (TICS) into a growth model. TICs are predictors that do not change as a function...
Modeling Nonlinear Growth Trajectories
In this installment to our series of Office Hour videos on growth curve modeling, Patrick describes how to model nonlinear trajectories. Although the most basic form of growth model specifies a linear trajectory in which the model-implied change in the outcome is constant per unit-change in time, many constructs under study in the social and behavioral sciences follow nonlinear trajectories...
Introduction to latent class / profile analysis
Although latent class analysis (LCA) and latent profile analysis (LPA) were developed decades ago, these models have gained increasing recent prominence as tools for understanding heterogeneity within multivariate data. Dan introduces these models through a hypothetical example where the goal is to identify voter blocks within the Republican Party by surveying which issues voters regard as most important. He begins...
Growth modeling within a structural equation modeling framework
In a prior episode of Office Hours, Patrick explored "Growth modeling in a multilevel modeling framework." In the current episode he discusses how growth models can also be estimated within the structural equation modeling (SEM) framework. He begins with a brief review of the confirmatory factor analysis model and describes this as the foundation of the latent curve model (LCM)...
Growth modeling within a multilevel modeling framework
In an earlier episode of Office Hours, Patrick addressed the question, “What is growth curve modeling?” In this episode he explores how a growth curve model can be estimated within the multilevel linear modeling (MLM) framework. Patrick begins by reviewing the assumption of independence in the general linear model and how this is violated when data are nested (e.g., children...
Coding time in growth models
Whether estimating growth models in a structural equation or multilevel modeling framework, the researcher must choose how to numerically code the passage of time. In this episode of Office Hours, Patrick explores the implications of scaling time within the general growth curve model. Patrick begins by revisiting the interpretation of the intercept of a regression line and then applies this...
Why use a Structural Equation Model?
In this edition of CBA Office Hours, Dan discusses some of the principal advantages of the structural equation model (SEM) relative to more traditional data analytic approaches like the linear regression model. Advantages include the ability to account for measurement error when estimating effects, test the fit of the model to the data, and specify statistical models that more closely align with...
The Many Uses of Network Analysis
The past two decades have given rise to significant advances in the development and application of methods for analyzing networks, particularly within the behavioral and health sciences. Network analysis considers how a set of units (or nodes) are connected to one another through directional or non-directional links (or edges). Analyzing the structure of a network involves the use of both...
What is Growth Curve Modeling?
As Patrick describes in the first of a series of videos, growth curve models can be useful whenever there is a focus on the analysis of change over time, such as when examining developmental changes, evaluating treatment effects, or analyzing diary data. Although growth models go by a variety of different names, all of these approaches share a common focus...
What’s the difference between finite mixture models and cluster analysis?
Researchers are often interested in identifying subgroups within their data to better understand heterogeneity within the population under study. This task has been the traditional domain of cluster analysis, but over the past decade or so finite mixture models have become an increasingly preferred alternative analytic technique. Sometimes referred to as "model-based clustering" the finite mixture model differs in important ways...
CenterStat's Help Desk is a blog in which Dan and Patrick respond to commonly asked questions about a variety of topics behavioral, educational, and health research including experimental design, measurement, data analysis, and interpretation of findings. The responses are intentionally brief and concise, and additional resources are provided such as recommended readings, provision of exemplar data and computer code, or links to other potential learning materials. Readers are welcome to submit their own questions for future Help Desk responses at [email protected].
Livestream Workshops
Free Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling
May 10-12, 2023
Livestream & Replay Access
Instructors: Dan Bauer & Patrick Curran
Mixture Modeling and Latent Class Analysis
May 15-19, 2023
Livestream & Replay Access
Instructor: Dan Bauer & Doug Steinley
Applied Measurement Modeling
May 16-19, 2023
Livestream & Replay Access
Instructors: Patrick Curran & Greg Hancock
Applied Qualitative Research
May 22-26, 2023
Livestream & Replay Access
Instructors: Greg Guest & Emily Namey
Multilevel Modeling
May 22-26, 2023
Livestream & Replay Access
Instructors: Dan Bauer & Patrick Curran
Machine Learning: Theory and Applications
June 5-9, 2023
Livestream & Replay Access
Instructor: Doug Steinley
Sample Size Planning for Power and Accuracy
June 6-8, 2023
Livestream & Replay Access
Instructor: Samantha Anderson