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