*Apologies for cross-posting*

Booking is now open for the following
Cathie Marsh Institute Short Courses


Measurement with the RASCH model<https://www.cmist.manchester.ac.uk/study/short/intermediate/measurement-with-the-rasch-model/> - 25th-26th January 2018
Outline
This two-day course aims to introduce participants to measurement theory and the Rasch model for construction and validation of measures. It covers the basic theory behind measurement, from an Item Response Theory perspective, focusing on the assumptions of the Rasch models, in particular.  The Rasch model provides the means to create measures (or score scales) from a combination of items in tests or questionnaires.  The principles governing the application of such models are shown through examples from educational measurement but are easily applicable to other areas in social and health sciences. Participants will have the chance to practice with various models of the Rasch family (Dichotomous, Rating Scale and Partial Credit) with specialised software (Winsteps).
Course objectives
This two day course aims to introduce participants to measurement theory and the Rasch model for measures construction and validation (Day 1). Participants will get hands on experience with analysis and interpretation of the Dichotomous (Day 1), Partial Credit and Rating Scale (Day 2) Rasch models, with specialised software as well as packages freely available in R.
The course will be delivered with a mixture of lectures and practical sessions, around the following themes:
*         Introduction to (Rasch) Measurement
*         The Dichotomous Rasch Model (with software application)
*         The basics of the validation framework with the Rasch Model
*         Examples and applications with the Rating Scale Model (which is appropriate for Likert type items) and the Partial Credit Model (which allows for items with different number of response categories to be analysed together).
*         Differential Item Functioning, Optimal functioning of rating scales and dimensionality.

https://www.cmist.manchester.ac.uk/study/short/intermediate/measurement-with-the-rasch-model/



Introduction to Cluster Analysis<https://www.cmist.manchester.ac.uk/study/short/introductory/cluster-analysis/> - 9th February 2018
Outline
The course covers cluster analysis concepts and methods in SPSS. It is aimed at those with an interest in developing practical skills to implement clustering techniques and those with an interest in area typologies and classifications.
Course objectives
Participants will develop an understanding of clusterIng methods and procedures in SPSS. By the end of the course they will be able to carry out preliminary analysis to select and transform variables for cluster analysis, choose a clustering method,  evaluate and choose cluster solutions, interpret clusters and present cluster analysis results. Hierarchical and non-hierarchical cluster analysis will be applied to 2011 Census local area data to produce an area classification to group areas with similar overall population characteristics into clusters.

https://www.cmist.manchester.ac.uk/study/short/introductory/cluster-analysis/


Introduction to Sequence Analysis<https://www.cmist.manchester.ac.uk/study/short/introductory/sequence-analysis/> - 1st February 2018
Outline
Sequence analysis has recently experienced increasing interest in life course research and summarizes a variety of techniques to analyse whole "sequences", for example, employment or partnership histories. The interest, hereby, is not only to describe and visualize whole sequences, but also to compare and regroup similar sequences into clusters, which in turn can be used within other methods (e.g. as independent variable in regression analyses). The course provides a basic introduction into sequence analysis, including its theoretical implication within life course research, and the practical skills required to conduct sequences analysis with Stata.
Course objectives
The course has two objectives:
First, the course introduces the general theoretical idea of sequences analysis and illustrates which kind of questions can be investigated by its mean within life course research.
Second, the course provides a practical introduction into sequence analysis based on Stata, focusing on describing and visualising sequences and on methods to compare and regroup sequences into clusters.

https://www.cmist.manchester.ac.uk/study/short/introductory/sequence-analysis/

Please also see our full range of Cathie Marsh Institute Short Courses<http://www.cmist.manchester.ac.uk/study/short/list/> for 2017-2018.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Cathie Marsh Institute| G9 Humanities Bridgeford Street | University of Manchester | Manchester | M13 9PL
Tel 0161 275 1980
Internal 51980