Application Project
The primary product of the course will be a paper in which you describe an application of structural equation modeling that is typical of research in your area. The paper can be either a proposal for an application or a write-up of an actual application of structural equation modeling.
Proposal
The goal of the proposal is to provide full information regarding a planned application of structural equation modeling to a set of data that is typical of research in your research area or discipline. Ideally, you would refer to an actual data set that you will, at some point, analyze. If you are unable to pinpoint such a data set, then you may propose the collection of an appropriate set of data. In either case, you must describe in detail the data and your plan to analyze the data. Proposals are to include the following.
- a brief statement of the research question and hypotheses,
- a detailed method section,
- a detailed plan of analysis section,
- a brief limitations section.
Write-up
The goal of the write-up is to provide full information regarding an actual application of structural equation modeling to a set of data of your choosing. (Note: Pursuing this option requires that you have a suitable set of data and that you have access to appropriate software such as Mplus, EQS, LISREL, or AMOS.) Reports are to include the following:
- a brief statement of the research question and hypotheses,
- a detailed method section,
- a detailed results section,
- a brief conclusion section.
In either case, about one-third of the way into the course you will be asked to provide a basic description of the data set that you will either propose to analyze, propose to gather and analyze, or actually analyze.
Near the midpoint of the course you will be asked to prepare a document in which you specify the names and characteristics of the variables your project will include and the strategy you will use in applying structural equation modeling to your data.
About two-thirds of the way into the course you will be asked to meet outside of class with another member of the class to discuss your data and plan of analysis and to exchange feedback on your project.
Two weeks before the write-ups are due, at the beginning of the class meeting on Thursday, November 29, you will provide a copy of a draft to two members of the class, and you will receive copies of two drafts from other class members. You will provide written reviews (details will be provided in a handout) for the authors of the two drafts you receive (and copies for me); you will receive two reviews of your draft. The reviews, which will be graded and contribute 5% toward your grade for the course, are due one week later, on Thursday, December 6, one week before the final draft of the paper is due.
The final draft of the paper is due before noon on Thursday, December 13. The paper will count 35% toward your grade for the course.
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