Statistical Mediation Analysis
June 2-4, 2008
David P. MacKinnon, Ph.D.

***Application deadline has passed.***

The Methodology Center announces its 13th Summer Institute on Longitudinal Methods. The Institute, sponsored by The Pennsylvania State University and the National Institute on Drug Abuse, provides researchers who have varying levels of methodological training the opportunity to familiarize themselves with longitudinal data analysis. In addition, the Institute is designed to facilitate the exchange of ideas among substantive and methodological researchers. This year's three-day Institute features a workshop on mediation analysis by expert David MacKinnon of Arizona State University.

Workshop

The goal of the workshop is to describe statistical, methodological, and conceptual aspects of mediation analysis. The workshop consists of four parts. Part I covers definitions, history, and applications for the mediation model. The purpose of this section is to provide an overview of the research questions the mediation model can answer. Examples from mediation analysis of prevention and treatment programs are described. In Part II, the conceptual model described in Part I is quantified in the estimation of mediation in single and multiple mediator models. Estimation of mediation effects including assumptions of the methods, different statistical tests, effect size, and construction of confidence limits for the mediated effect are covered. The methods described in this section serve as the foundation for more advanced methods. In Part III, advanced mediation models are covered, including mediation in path analysis, longitudinal mediation models, mediation with multilevel data, mediation for categorical variables, and mediation in the context of moderation. In Part IV, general issues in the investigation of mediation including causal inference for mediation models, additional approaches to identifying mediating variables and future directions are described.

Instructor

David MacKinnon is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Arizona State University. He received a BA from Harvard University in 1979 and a Ph.D. in measurement and psychometrics from UCLA in 1986. He was an Assistant Professor of Research at the University of Southern California's Institute for Prevention Research from 1986 to 1990. He has been at Arizona State University since 1990 and is affiliated with the Prevention Intervention Research Center and the Research in Prevention Laboratory. Dr. MacKinnon teaches graduate analysis of variance, mediation analysis, and statistical methods in prevention research as well as undergraduate psychological statistics classes. He has served on federal review committees including a 5-year term on the Epidemiology and Prevention review committee. He is on the editorial board of the journals Prevention Science and Psychological Methods. He is also a member of the Prevention Research Methodology Group. Dr. MacKinnon has been principal investigator on several National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse and National Institute on Drug Abuse grants. His primary interest is in the area of statistical methods to assess how prevention and treatment programs achieve their effects.

Registration

The registration fee of $445 for the three-day Institute will cover all instruction, program materials, refreshment breaks, a lunch each day, and a group dinner on Monday evening (June 2nd). This fee also included a copy of Dr. Mackinnon's book Introduction to Statistical Mediation Analysis. We are able to offer a limited number of scholarships to minority or under funded post-docs or junior faculty. Participants are encouraged to bring their own notebook computers (with SAS Version 9 for Windows) for conducting exercises, although a limited number of computers will be provided to those not able to bring one.

***APPLICATION DEADLINE HAS PASSED.***

To be considered for the Summer Institute, please submit the application form and email (or fax) your CV (or biosketch) to:
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Fax: (814) 863-0000

Application and CV/biosketch were due Wednesday, March 19, 2008.

***APPLICATION DEADLINE HAS PASSED.***

Accepted participants will be notified via email by March 24, 2008. The email will describe how to register using Penn State's online system. You will be notified promptly of any cancellations, schedule, or program changes. (For our refund, access, and cancellation policies, click here.)

Enrollment will be limited to 40 participants to maintain an informal atmosphere and to encourage interaction between the presenter and participants, as well as among participants. We will give priority to individuals who are involved in drug abuse prevention or treatment, who have appropriate statistical background to get the most out of the Institute, and for whom the topic will have a direct and immediate relevance to their current work. We also aim to maximize geographic and minority representation.

Location and Accommodations

The Institute will be held at The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel, one of the largest university-based conference center hotels of its kind in the country. The Penn Stater, situated in Penn State’s Innovation Park, is located in the town of State College, in a picturesque valley of central Pennsylvania, and offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

For participants needing overnight lodging, a room block has been reserved at the Penn Stater. When reserving lodging, attendees will need to identify themselves as a Summer Institute participant (SUM0518_001). To ensure the special SI discounted room rate, please make lodging reservations on or before May 2, 2007. After that date, the room block will be released. Rooms will then be on a first come first serve basis and the discounted rate will not be guaranteed. You can reserve rooms directly from the Penn Stater’s web site or by calling (800) 233-7505.

Delta Connection, US Airways Express, Northwest Airlink, and United Express serve the State College/University Park Airport, located approximately six miles from the conference site. Rental cars and limousine and taxi services are available at the airport.

Please visit the PSU Local Information pages for helpful maps, driving directions and distances, airport services, flight and reservation information, local weather, and things to do in State College and the surrounding region.