Target audience

Structural equation modeling (SEM), or path analysis with latent variables, is one of the most general and comprehensive statistical analysis methods. Path analysis, multiple regression, ANCOVA, ANOVA and other widely used statistical analysis methods can be seen as special cases of SEM.

WarpPLS is a very user-friendly and powerful SEM software tool, arguably the first of its kind to implement linear and nonlinear algorithms. It provides one of the most extensive sets of SEM outputs. Among other things, it automatically calculates indirect and total effects and respective P values, as well as full collinearity estimates.

This SEM fundamentals workshop is aimed at beginner and intermediate SEM practitioners. Among possible participants are those who are interested in: (a) being productive co-authors or research collaborators, even if not doing SEM analyses themselves; (b) conducting basic SEM analyses occasionally in the future; (c) conducting SEM analyses of intermediate complexity on a regular basis.

Workshop program

The main goal of this workshop is to give participants a practical understanding of how to use the software WarpPLS to conduct variance-based structural equation modeling (SEM). The workshop is very hands-on and covers linear and nonlinear applications.

Each workshop participant must: (a) bring a portable computer (e.g., a laptop) to the workshop with WarpPLS installed on it (participants will receive complimentary individual licenses); (b) bring one (or more) datasets for analysis; and (c) read the three readings that will be discussed in the workshop (provided below).

Approximately one week prior to the workshop the participants will receive online a set of materials that will be used for instruction in the workshop, including: 16 video clips, 6 sample datasets, and 16 example project files. These materials have been created especially for the workshop, and are not publicly available.

Participants do not have to review these materials prior to the workshop. They should only copy the materials into a folder, and have them available for easy reference during the workshop. The materials will also serve as a reference source for the participants after the workshop is over.

The above materials, particularly the video clips, will provide a unique and relaxing atmosphere (e.g., no need to take notes) for the participants to learn how to use many of WarpPLS' advanced features. The instructor will use the video clips extensively during the workshop, frequently playing them and commenting on them.

Click here for a PDF file containing the workshop program. Right-click on the link and choose the option "Save link as ..." to save the file to a folder on you computer.

Registration

All registered participants will receive a complimentary one-year individual user license of WarpPLS, for their personal use. To register for the workshop, make your payment using the button below. This can be used to register one or more participants at once; just change the quantity option on the web form that appears after you click on the button.

Registration fees:

  Non-student. Early registration (before 11 May): US$ 575. Late registration (on or after 11 May): US$ 775.

  Student. Early registration (before 11 May): US$ 365. Late registration (on or after 11 May): US$ 565.

Option

Non-student $775.00 USD Student $565.00 USD

After you make your payment, send an email to sales@scriptwarp.com with subject "WarpPLS Workshop Registration: June 2013" with the following on the body of the email: (a) the receipt number you received; and (b) the full name and contact information (including email) of the participant(s) registered.

The "student" option is for full-time students only. If you are registering as a "student", please also provide the full name and contact information for the director of your program, and a one-paragraph statement of how you expect your participation in the workshop to help you in your program of studies.

As soon as your registration is processed (processing may take 72 hours), you will receive an email with a confirmation and receipt from ScriptWarp Systems. More details about the workshop will be provided later via email to the registered participants. Register soon - seats are limited!

Directions

Click here to see the location of Our Lady of the Lake University with Google Maps. The University is located in the beautiful and historic city of San Antonio, Texas, which is also home of the Alamo. It is about 3 miles from the downtown area, where most of the hotels are.

The workshop will take place on the 2nd Floor of the Main Building, in Room 220. The Main Building is marked with number 16 in a blue circle on this campus map (PDF file). This photo (PNG file) shows the entrance of the Main Building. If you are driving, you may park in the areas indicated as Lot E and Lot F on the campus map.

If you have your own car, you may consider staying at the at the Courtyard San Antonio Downtown/Market Square, where parking is free. The hotel is on 600 South Santa Rosa Avenue (Google Maps location).

If you are not driving, you may consider staying at a hotel near the corner of E. Commerce St. & Alamo Plaza (Google Maps location). There are several taxi services, and even frequent buses, from this area to Our Lady of the Lake University.

Readings for discussions

Right-click on the links and choose the option "Save link as ..." to save the files to a folder on you computer.

Kock, N. (2012). WarpPLS 3.0 User Manual. Laredo, Texas: ScriptWarp Systems.

Kock, N., & Lynn, G.S. (2012). Lateral collinearity and misleading results in variance-based SEM: An illustration and recommendations. Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 13(7), 546-580.

Kock, N., & Verville, J. (2012). Exploring free questionnaire data with anchor variables: An illustration based on a study of IT in healthcare. International Journal of Healthcare Information Systems and Informatics, 7(1), 46-63.

Sample datasets

Right-click on the links and choose the option "Save link as ..." to save the files to a folder on you computer.

Spreadsheet (.xls file) containing a sample dataset from a study of teams that used e-collaboration technologies to different degrees. The data is based on a real study, but has been modified (e.g., through the addition of error) for pedagogical reasons.

Spreadsheet (.xls file) containing a sample dataset from a data mining analysis focused on SAT scores in school districts of a state in the USA. The data is based on a real analysis, but has been modified (e.g., through the addition of error) for pedagogical reasons.