Structural Equation Modelling (online)

22 September - 3 October 2025 (from 13:30 to 17:00)

WWhile much of statistics focusses on associations between variables and making predictions, the aim of structural equation modelling is to test multivariate causal hypotheses and to estimate causal relationships between variables in situations preventing randomized experiments. In spite of the common belief that any causal statement requires randomized experiments, there is an increasing body of theory, methodology and software that enables scientists to draw certain types of causal conclusions from observational data. This has important advantages, especially in cases where randomized experiments are not feasible. Notably, causal models allow the quantification of intervention effects, which is the response of the system given a certain value of one your variables (e.g. rainfall). This course will explain the key concepts underlying causal inference, the required assumptions, and how the interpretation of results differs from the case of randomized experiments.

To ensure that you learn from the best, we managed to get Prof. Bill Shipley from the Université de Sherbrooke in Canada to to give this course. Prof. Shipley is the author of "Cause and correlation in biology: A user’s guide to path analysis, structural equations, and causal inference with R", which by many is seen as the guide for working with Path Analysis and Structural Equation Models. The focus will be on classical structural equation models with latent variables and generalisations of path analysis via d-separation and directed acyclic graphs using the R program. Throughout the course we will discuss applications in ecology, evolution, and other areas of biology. Depending on the background and interests of the participants we may put a stronger emphasis on some of these applications. Participants are therefore encouraged to bring their own data.

Programme

Each day begins at 13:30 PM (Amsterdaml time) and ends at around 17:00. There will be short breaks each day as needed. However, this schedule will be modified, depending on how well you have learned each topic.

General information

Fees ¹

¹ The course fee includes all course materials (including the PDF versions of the book about Structural Equation Modelling).
² The Early-Bird Fee applies to anyone who REGISTERS ON OR BEFORE 22 May 2025

Note:

• If you need an invoice to complete your payment, please send an email to office.pe@wur.nl, including ALL relevant details that should be mentioned on the invoice (e.g., purchase order no., specific addresses, attendees, etc.).
• The Early-Bird policy is such that the moment of REGISTRATION (and not payment) is leading for determining the fee that applies to you.
• Please make sure that your payment is arranged within two weeks after your registration.
• It is the participant's responsibility to make sure that he/she (or his/her secretary) completes the payment correctly and in time.

PE&RC Cancellation Conditions

IMPORTANT: ALWAYS read the Cancellation conditions for PE&RC courses and activities.

More information

PE&RC
Email: office.pe@wur.nl

Registration

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