Advanced Course Statistics in SPSS (Aplication in Social Science and Humanities)

The purpose is to train and empower participants in analysis using techniques that are common but more or less specialized We use mostly SPSS (that each participant must get from their own institution), for structural equation modeling we also use AMOS (add-on to SPSS; which each participant must also get from their own institution), and for social network analysis we also use UCINET (that each participant must freely download from www.analytictech.com ). Content: HLM, SEM, Social Network Analysis Day 1 is devoted to hierarchical linear modeling of data that are hierarchical with a micro-level embedded or nested within a macro-level context with properties that influence behavior of the micro-level actors. This is very similar to multiple linear regression, just modified to handle data that are hierarchical. We intensively use SPSS, especially Mixed models. Day 2 is devoted to structural equation modeling. We start with construction of indexes and factor analysis, and then draw causal models (that may include mediation) and include factor models (measurement models). We use the SPSS add-on AMOS. Day 3 is devoted to social network analysis. First, we consider the environment around an actor as the actor's relations with others and the interrelations among these others. This is analyzed with SPSS. Then we consider a bounded system of interrelated actors. This is analyzed with UCINET (that includes Netdraw for visualizing a network, like a spider web).