Master
2026/2027
Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling
Type:
Compulsory course (Science of Learning and Assessment)
Delivered by:
Department of Educational Programmes
Where:
Institute of Education
When:
1 year, 4 module
Open to:
students of all HSE University campuses
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Contact hours:
36
Course Syllabus
Abstract
This course introduces advanced statistical methods and modeling approaches commonly used in psychometrics and the analysis of psychological, sociological, and educational data. It is designed to familiarize students with the theoretical foundations and practical applications of Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) framework. The course also covers key concepts such as mediation and moderation within SEM, as well as approaches to testing measurement invariance across groups. Emphasis is placed on both conceptual understanding and applied data analysis, enabling students to critically evaluate models and implement them in empirical research. Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of statistics and experience working with R.
Learning Objectives
- The objective of this course is to equip students with the knowledge and analytical skills required to apply Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in psychological and educational research. The course aims to develop students' ability to formulate and test complex theoretical models, evaluate measurement quality, assess mediation, moderation, and measurement invariance, and critically interpret model results in R.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Calibrates, selects, improves model quality, and interprets CFA models
- Calibrates, re-norms and interprets parameters of IRT models in CFA parametrization
- Calibrates, selects and interprets unidimensional, multidimensional, second-order and bifactor CFA models
- Performs measurement invariance analyses for different types of data and compares the fit of nested models
- Conducts path analysis, including mediation and moderation
- Calibrates and interprets alternative CFA specifications (e.g., bifactor, second-order, multidimensional)
Course Contents
- Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM)
- Relations between IRT and CFA
- Alternative CFA specifications
- Measurement invariance (MI)
- Path analysis and SEM
Interim Assessment
- 2026/2027 4th module0.3 * Final Test + 0.4 * Homework + 0.2 * Article Discussion + 0.1 * R Exercises
