Expanding Awareness of Statistical Opportunities Using Mplus

Overview: Experience an exploration of statistical modeling opportunities to increase awareness of analyses that address typical as well as complex research environments. Many real life examples using Mplus software will be shared along with lessons learned, and where to find additional information.

Abstract: Computing power and access to new statistical software continues to expand at a surprising rate. Just ten years ago complex statistical procedures that were only available to a few highly sophisticated individuals are now performed regularly from desktop PCs and laptops. However, researchers can only capitalize on this technological expansion if procedural information is distributed. Without this information the possibility of missing research opportunities is practically guaranteed. Thus, the purpose of this workshop is to provide an overview of Mplus, a powerful statistical program that is designed to increase the statistical capacity and analytical strategies of researchers. Some of the technological advances incorporated in Mplus include: the ability to perform analysis of cross-sectional, longitudinal, single and multilevel data that come from different populations with either observed or unobserved heterogeneity. Moreover, analyses can be conducted on variables that are continuous, censored, binary, ordinal, nominal, counts or combinations of variable types. Mplus also has features for missing data, complex survey data, as well as extensive Monte Carlo simulation studies. This workshop will present a number of examples of different statistical modeling techniques using Mplus version 6. Some of the modeling techniques presented will be as follows; Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), Multilevel Modeling, Item Response Theory (IRT), Latent Class Analysis (LCA), Survival Analysis, and Missing Data Analysis.

Participants should expect to experience a rich exchange of ideas, specific demonstration on how each of the modeling techniques have been applied to social research, and how the techniques can be applied in other research situation. For those who bring their laptops to the workshop, a wireless connection to the web will allow participants to mirror the discussion online and directly view the presentation from their own screen. In addition, materials and examples used in the workshop will be provided digitally during the workshop or upon request at a later time. This workshop assumes that the participants are not familiar with Mplus or have used Mplus in very limited situations. However, the amount of information provided by this workshop will surely expand the awareness of even the more experienced Mplus user.