Course description

• Course content
• Learning outcome
• Admission
• Prerequisites

• Teaching
• Examination
• Evaluation

Course content

In this course you will get acquainted with the fundamental theories and application of structural models. The focus will be on using these methods for applied research. You will also gain practical competency in statistical software for analyzing data.
 
The course covers the following key topics

1. Path analysis
2. Model fit and model comparison
3. Moderation and mediation
4. Causality

Learning outcome

Knowledge

• recognize the general principles of structural models
• understand the key assumptions that underlie these models and methods
• understand what violations of their assumptions can mean for model selection and associated inferences

Skills

• select, apply, and interpret the results of a structural model that is appropriate for the data and the research question at hand
• test key assumptions and offer possible solutions to violations of the assumptions
• write up the results of an analysis in an appropriate way
• analyze data with the help of existing statistical software packages

Competencies

You will be able to

• demonstrate a facility with structural modeling to answer well-defined research questions
• interpret published scientific research that uses these models and methods and evaluate the tenability of associated inferences and knowledge claims

Admission

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Prerequisites

Recommended previous knowledge

Prior knowledge at or equivalent to MAE4000 Data Science.

Teaching

This course combines lectures and computer labs with data analysis tasks in statistical software environments.

Obligatory course components:

• computer lab participation and completion of computer lab exercises

Examination

The exam consists of a 4 hour individual written examination covering all course material and topics.

You need to have successfully completed the obligatory course components before being allowed to sit the exam. If you do not fulfill these requirements, you must submit a written request to apply for an additional assignment prior to sitting the exam. The application must document stated reasons for absence beyond your control.

Previous exams

Digital examination

The written examination is conducted in the digital examination system Inspera. You will need to familiarize yourself with the digital examination arrangements in Inspera.

Read more about written examinations using Inspera.

Examination support material

No examination support material is allowed.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Explanations and appeals

• Explanation of grades and appeals

Resit an examination

• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Resitting an examination

Withdrawal from an examination

It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.

Special examination arrangements

Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.

Evaluation

In accordance with the UiO quality assurance system, the course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.