4.0

Average Course Rating

Explores conceptual and formal approaches to the design, analysis, and interpretation of studies with a “multilevel” or “hierarchical” (clustered) data structure (e.g., individuals in families in communities). Develops skills to implement and interpret random effects, variance component models that reflect the multi-level structure for both predictor and outcome variables. Includes topics: building hierarchies; interpretation of population-average and level-specific summaries; estimation and inference based on variance components; shrinkage estimation; discussion of special topics including centering, use of contextual variables, ecological bias, sample size and missing data within multilevel models. Supports STATA and R software.