STA312: Topics in Statistics: Structural Equation Models
University of Toronto at Mississauga, Fall 2007
http://www.fisher.utstat.toronto.edu/~brunner/utm312f07
Lecture: Monday and Wednesday, 11:10 - 12:00 noon, Room 142, North Building
Tutorials: Friday 11:10 - 12:00 noon, Room 174, North Building. The first tutorial is Sept. 21st.
Text: There is no textbook for this course at the bookstore. Free online material will be substituted. These materials overlap with and supplement the lectures. They do not replace the lectures.
Topics: Review of maximum likelihood estimation, Effects of measurement error on ordinary regression analysis, Univariate and multivariate regression with measurement error, Latent variables, Model identification, Introduction to SAS proc calis, The LISREL model, Path analysis, Confirmatory factor analysis, Longitudinal data analysis, Robustness of the normal model.
Prerequisites: STA331 or ECO327.
Grading: There will be 10 quiz marks worth 7% each, and a final exam worth 30%. Quizzes will be given in tutorial. Quiz dates are Sept. 21, 28; Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26; Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30. That's eleven quizzes; the best ten will count. There will be a homework assignment for each quiz. On each quiz, you are responsible for the ideas and techniques needed to do the corresponding homework assignment. If you can do the homework assignment, you will do well on the quiz.
Some of the assignments include a computer part. Students will bring printouts to the quiz and answer questions based on the printout. In some cases, printouts will be handed in. The non-computer parts of the assignments are just to prepare you for the tests; they will never be handed in.
Policy for missed work: If you miss a quiz, the mark is zero. However, your lowest quiz mark will be dropped. If you miss a quiz with a valid excuse, the final exam will count for an additional 7% of your mark. If you miss a quiz for medical reasons, the medical certificate or doctor's note must include the statement that you were unable to write the test or quiz for medical reasons. If the documentation does not include the word "unable," the excuse will not be accepted. Documentation must show that the physician was consulted on the day of the quiz, or on the next day. A statement merely confirming a report of illness made by the student is not acceptable.
Plagiarism: It is academic dishonesty to present someone else's work as your own, or to allow your work to be copied for this purpose. To repeat: the person who allows her/his work to be copied is equally guilty, and subject to disciplinary action by the university.
Here are some guidelines that apply to the computer assignments. If there is a problem with plagiarism, it will probably happen here, since computer assignments may be handed in. It is fine to discuss the assignments and to learn from each other, but don't copy. Never look at anyone else's printouts or show anyone yours before the quiz or exam when they might be handed in. Above all, do not allow to see your program file before a computer assignment is due, and do not look at anyone else's.
For some quizzes and for the final exam, you will be asked to bring your printout to class; maybe you will hand part of it in, and maybe you will use it to answer some questions. Never, ever, bring a copy of somebody else's printout, or allow anyone to have a copy of yours.
Don't copy. If we catch you, you will get in big trouble. And even if we do not catch you, after you die you will be reincarnated as a tadpole in a polluted stream.
If this is not clear enough, the latest version of the student handout "How not to Plagiarize" is available at http://www.utoronto.ca/writing/plagsep.html The Academic Regulations of the University are outlined in the Code of Behaviour on Academic matters, which can be found in the UTM Calendar or on the web at http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/regcal/WEBGEN117.html.