Spit Camp II takes your knowledge of salivary bioscience data and analytic methods to the next level. Using an open forum environment, lectures, and carefully constructed hands-on guidance, you will learn both basic and advanced strategies for statistical modeling that are tailored to salivary biomeasure data and your specific research questions. Each offering of Spit Camp II focuses on a specific analytic approach and its application to salivary bioscience data and research questions. Spit Camp II sessions follow the same 3-day instructional format as Spit Camp I, which enables researchers to gain practical knowledge and experience in statistical modeling using their own salivary data. Through Spit Camp training, you will become a more confident salivary bioscience researcher, capable of using advanced and innovative statistical approaches to address new research questions and increase the overall impact of your research.

Spit Camp II - Structural Equation Modeling (SEM)

The Spit Camp II Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) Workshop gives attendees foundational knowledge in SEM and its application to salivary bioscience research. This fee-based workshop will cover the theory behind SEM as a general methodology, as well as provide attendees with the knowledge and skills needed to specify, estimate, and interpret SEM models with their own salivary biomeasure data and research questions. Attendees will practice SEM methods with their own data and receive individualized feedback on their estimation procedures and findings. This Camp is designed for researchers who have already collected and cleaned their salivary data and have a research question that is best addressed within an SEM approach. SEM is a statistical methodology that provides a general framework for examining relationships between variables that are either observed (manifest) or unobserved (latent). It is the basis for latent state-trait modeling that allows us to estimate stable, trait-like levels of salivary biomeasures that typically fluctuate across the day or study period. SEM also includes factor analysis, a method that allows salivary bioscienctists to examine how multiple salivary analytes cluster within individuals and groups of participants. The Spit Camp II SEM Workshop will give salivary bioscientists new to SEM the opportunity to use innovative latent modeling approaches to answer complex research questions.

Instructors:
Joni Ricks-Oddie, PhD MPH
Director, UCI Center for Statistical Consulting | Department of Statistics
Director, Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Research Design Unit | Institute for Clinical and Translational Sciences (ICTS)

Farideh Dehkordi-Vakil, Ph.D.
Senior Statistician
Center for Statistical Consulting | Department of Statistics

Current Schedule