Quantitude
Quantitude is a podcast about quantitative methods, statistics, and data analysis, presented by co-hosts Patrick Curran and Greg Hancock. They cover serious statistical topics with a lighthearted, humorous approach, blending technical discussions with playful banter. The show aims to make statistics accessible and engaging, even for those who might find the subject dry. With a production style described as intentionally low-fidelity, it offers a unique and entertaining take on quantitative analysis.
Episodes
S8E05 Probability and Odds: What's the Vig?
In this week's episode Greg and Patrick explore the fun but sometimes confusing world of probability, odds, log odds, and odds ratios, both when encountered in statistics and in every day life. Along the way they also discuss empty airplane hangars, drink carts, Qalshi, Costco hot dogs, the tush push, Quantitude International, The Blues Brothers, spelled with a Q, the vigorish, Mr. Peabody, a
S8E04 The Curriculum Vitae Roadshow
In this week's episode Patrick and Greg have a somewhat circuitous conversation about the academic curriculum vitae across the professional lifespan: what it is, why we have it, and what kinds of things may or may not go on it. Along the way they also discuss Antiques Roadshow, Duolingo streaks, Oscar, Greg's front door, Teddy Roosevelt, sarcastic Spanish, Coors Light as a religion, the
S8E03 Control Yourself: A Conversation With Paul Allison
In this week's episode Greg and Patrick are honored to have a discussion with Paul Allison who is a sociologist and a titan in the field of quantitative methodology. Although they could talk with Paul about a dozen different topics, they narrow it down to his seminal work in longitudinal fixed effects models. Along the way they also discuss ren fairs, frilly shirts, turkey legs, drama kids, s
S8E02 Lost in Standardization
In this week's episode Greg and Patrick have a loosely organized discussion about metrics, including the pros and cons of raw versus standardized scales and the advantages of having multiple metrics for the same effect. Along the way they also discuss the Odyssey, Dulles airport, driving in Canada, Smitty's corpse, friends in low places, two minute warnings, He's Not Here, Carolina
S8E01 The True Crimes of Null Hypothesis Significance Testing
In this first episode of Season 8, Greg and Patrick decide it is deeply unfair that the podcast has not grown popular enough for them to buy their own Quantitude jet. They thus decide to make it a true crime podcast and dedicate the episode to revisiting the crimes and punishment of Null Hypothesis Significance Testing. They plagiarize other true crime podcasts to delve into the case and determine
S7E24 The Seven Questions of Quantitude (Plus or Minus Two)
In this week's episode Greg and Patrick revisit their earlier promise of creating seven questions that will help you use your Quantitude to annoy the people you love. Having broken their promise, they are free to propose nine questions for which they seek a mnemonic device that does not include an acronym. Along the way they discuss relationship mandates, mildly inebriated brothers, hypoxic v
S7E23 Quantitude Philosopher of Science Trading Cards
In this week's episode Patrick and Greg talk about creating collectible trading cards for some of our favorite philosophers of science and the impact each has had on how we think about the practice of research. Along the way, they also discuss goose mating calls, collapsed sinuses, Riverdance!, Comfortably Numb, Pikachu and Jigglypuff, the back of Andrea Howard’s car, pseudoscience, ad hoc im
S7E22 Is College Worth It? Maybe...
In this In the Wild episode, Patrick and Greg conclude their unexpected cluster of college-themed conversations by turning their Quantitude loose on the ultimate question: is college worth it. In particular, they discuss how the multi-layered, individualized, and ever-changing nature of a college education make this question especially tricky to answer. Stay in contact with Quantitude!Web page: qu
S7E21 Qualitative Research with Emily Namey
In this week's episode Greg and Patrick have a wonderful time talking about qualitative research methods with Emily Namey. Emily has dedicated her entire career to qualitative research and she helps them better understand what it is, what it can do, and how it plays a critical role in understanding the complexities of human behavior. Along the way they also discuss rushing to and from LA, hum
S7E20 Modeling Co-Development Over Time
In this week's episode Greg and Patrick follow-up their previous discussion of time-varying covariates with a conversation about methods for modeling the simultaneous development in two or more constructs over time. Along the way, they also discuss back tattoos, right lane closures, 49.5 lb luggage, Clear, the United lounge, Sharpies, Neo, the Urfdedurfdedingerdonger, living with mommy or dad
S7E19 Growth Modeling With Time-Varying Covariates
In this week's episode, Greg and Patrick have great fun talking about the inclusion of time-varying covariates within growth models. They differentiate time invariant from time varying predictors, explore how these are differentially incorporated in the MLM and SEM, and conclude with both the strengths and the limitations of these models in practice. Along the way they also discuss Herb Alper
S7E18 St. Patrick's Day Pub Quiz
In this week's episode, Greg and Patrick magically find themselves at trivia night in the Rusty Mackerel pub in Teelin, Ireland, where a secret celebrity trivia master puts them on the spot to test their knowledge of statistics and statisticians. Along the way they also discuss St. Paprikash, no back story, Hooker Oklahoma, The Karate Kid 2 soundtrack, the fourth wall, magically delicious, ta
S7E17 Elements of Structural Equation Models with Ken Bollen
In this week's episode Patrick and Greg talk with Ken Bollen who is a Professor of Psychology and Sociology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In addition to exploring topics including home made rockets, sitars, and Jimi Hendrix, Ken talks with them about his brand new book Elements of Structural Equation Models and how he aspired to capture the many recent developments in SE
S7E16 Jumping Into Regression Discontinuity Designs
In this week's episode, Greg and Patrick discuss the decades-old method of the regression discontinuity design and describe how, when properly applied, this approach can strengthen our causal inferences when using quasi-experimental data. Along the way they also discuss Ravenclaw vs. Gryffindor, playing barefoot darts, gaming the system, I see dead people, Googling age cut-offs, Van Halen&apo
S7E15 Are College Rankings Useful? Maybe...
In this In the Wild episode, Greg and Patrick turn their Quantitude loose on college rankings. In particular, they discuss whether these rankings are of use to anyone at all, and what issues we would need to have addressed in order for us to be able to answer that question. Stay in contact with Quantitude!Web page: quantitudepod.orgTwitterX: @quantitudepodYouTube: @quantitudepodMerch: redbubble.co
S7E14 Sample Size Planning: The Groundhog Day Episode
In this week's episode Greg and Patrick talk, for the third time, about power analysis, drawing on a recent paper by Greg and Yi Feng at UCLA, that reminds us how little we actually know when sample size planning, and then offers a concrete, cautious strategy for planning in the face of that uncertainty. Along the way they also mention Punxsutawney Phil, acknowledgments, bold ass titles, dark
S7E13 Time-Varying Effect Models
In this week's episode Patrick and Greg explore the incredibly cool possibilities offered by the time-varying effects model as a non-parametric alternative to the more restrictive time-varying covariate model. Along the way they also mention North Dakota, Cal Ripken Jr., pre-gaming, not trying to be funny, left lane guy, Walker Texas Ranger, smelling toast, Bob Ross, hearing sirens, muu-muus,
S7E12 The Gift of Regifting
This week's episode is the seventh annual Quantitude Holiday Special, but because Greg and Patrick both forgot to get each other something, they frantically regift one another some of their favorite sponsors from prior episodes. Along the way they also discuss Quantitude Studio A, two foot tall porcelain penguins, electric bug zappers, personalized cutting boards, balls dropping, Sir Francis
S7E11 Should Essays be Used in College Admissions? Maybe...
In this In The Wild episode, Patrick and Greg turn their Quantitude loose on college admission essays, in particular whether or not they should be used to make such high-stakes decisions, and they discuss what issues would need to be addressed in order to answer that question.Stay in contact with Quantitude!Web page: quantitudepod.orgTwitterX: @quantitudepodYouTube: @quantitudepodMerch: redbubble.
S7E10 A Report Card on GPAs
In this week's episode Patrick and Greg have fun exploring the questionably valid but always high stakes role of the grade point average, of GPA. They consider the different ways in which grades can be assigned, what they may or may not actually represent, and how they have become increasingly inflated over time. Along the way, they also discuss not being agnostic, math vs. sociology, avoidin
S7E09 Modeling Categorical Change with Latent Transition Analysis
In this week's episode Patrick and Greg talk about latent transition analysis, which embeds latent class analysis within a longitudinal context, allowing us to explore, as well as to formally test, patterns of individual change in latent class membership over time. Along the way they also mention: identity crises, the crossword puzzler, the nihilist, here comes the asteroid, deck chairs and f
S7E08 Bootstrapping
In this week's episode Greg and Patrick discuss the amazing world of the empirical bootstrap. They start with inferential testing using business as usual, describe where that quickly runs into problems, and explore where bootstrapping does and, importantly, does not help move us forward. Along the way they also discuss midnight in Bangkok, the awe of a 747, the Wright Brothers, what's yo
S7E07 Is the SAT Biased and Should be Banned? Maybe...
In this In The Wild episode, Greg and Patrick turn their Quantitude loose on the ever-present SAT, in particular the premise that it is biased and should be banned. They also talk about what issues would need to be addressed in order to evaluate whether or not that's a reasonable claim. Stay in contact with Quantitude!Web page: quantitudepod.orgTwitterX: @quantitudepodYouTube: @quantitudepodM
S7E06 Non-Academic Jobs: A Conversation with Jeremy Miles
In this week's episode, Patrick and Greg have a lovely conversation with Jeremy Miles, a quantitative methodologist who has worked in both academic and industry settings. Jeremy draws on his own extensive experiences to describe what an industry job is like and how one can prepare to move into this type of position. Along the way they also discuss sub-conning expertise, mystery companies, Ame
S7E05 The Academic Job Talk
In this week's episode, as we head into the academic job season, Patrick and Greg offer some well-meaning advice about one of the most important aspects of an on-site interview, the academic job talk. Along the way they also mention the changing of the cactus needles, Colon Blow, big pumpkin, cutting out job ads, the job talk bagel bar, waiting for Wisconsin, y-hat forever, hold my beer, hell
S7E04 Does Birth Order Matter? Maybe...
In this week's In The Wild episode, Patrick and Greg turn their Quantitude loose on the premise that birth order has a causal impact on the very person who you are. They discuss what questions they would raise and what issues they would need to have addressed in order to fully evaluate whether or not this is a reasonable claim. Stay in contact with Quantitude!Web page: quantitudepod.orgTwitte
S7E03 Nonparametric Procedures
In this week's episode, Greg and Patrick explore the very cool yet often overlooked suite of non-parametric statistical tests. They talk about their strengths and weaknesses and how these might be profitably used in practice. Along the way they also discuss science fairs, spaghetti bridges, don't take this the wrong way, jazz hamster, the Bernoulli Principle, everyone wins, glitter is no
S7E02 Is NPR Liberally Biased? Maybe...
In this week's special In The Wild episode, Patrick and Greg turn their Quantitude loose on the premise that National Public Radio is liberally biased, talking about what issues we would need to have addressed in order for us to be able to evaluate whether or not that's a reasonable claim. Stay in contact with Quantitude!Web page: quantitudepod.orgTwitterX: @quantitudepodYouTube: @quanti
S7E01 The Seven Year Itch
In this week's episode, the first of Season 7, Greg and Patrick argue about whether the number seven is a propitious or an inauspicious omen for the new season. They then explore ways we can spice up our relationship in hopes of avoiding the Seven Year Itch. Along the way they also discuss t-shirt wearing dogs, Mickey Mantle, the seven deadly sins, Akira Kurosawa, the Boeing triple-seven, me
S6E21 Quantitude: How the Sausage is Made
In this week's episode, the last of Season 6, Patrick and Greg pull back the curtain and reveal how the Quantitude sausage is actually made. Their motivation is to share their own joys and challenges in making a podcast in the hope that others might consider doing this themselves, whether it be for simple self-satisfaction or for using it as a free speech platform in a time when other avenue
S6E20 Dominance Analysis
In this week's episode Greg and Patrick explore the extremely clever yet inexplicably underused method of dominance analysis which offers a set of techniques for determining the relative importance of predictors in a regression model. Along the way they also discuss giving compliments, looking tired, Indy vs. F1, chicken paprikas, Gustav Holst, Fozzie Bear, not paying attention while recordin
S6E19 Misheard (Statistical) Lyrics: A Mixtape
In this week's episode Patrick and Greg have some serious fun with song lyrics they misunderstood at some point in their personal lives. They then use this as a thinly veiled excuse to explore some very basic statistical things that they have also misunderstood at some point in their professional lives. Along the way they discuss over-engineered front ends, mumbling, Scaramouche, mondegreens,
S6E18 Count Variables
In today’s episode Patrick and Greg talk about outcomes that are count variables: when you need to worry about them and what you can do about them within your analytical models. Along the way they also mention: Bela Lugosi, Vlad the Impaler, Patrick the Poker, Count Chocula, Count von Count, drunken bar brawls, secret distributions, K!, bio breaks, second favorite child, Animal Farm, Cliff’s notes
S6E17 Age-Period-Cohort Analysis
In this week's episode Greg and Patrick explore both the challenges and the opportunities of age-period-cohort analysis when trying to understand the complexities of human behavior over time. Along the way they also discuss bachelor night, Dave Brubeck, pay phones, street lights, global nuclear war, lazy thinking, I'm not a crook, biking to grandmas, HMS Pinafore, the Beatles, aggressive
S6E16 Correspondence Analysis
In this week's episode Greg and Patrick shine a flashlight on correspondence analysis and find that this is an extraordinarily cool yet often neglected method similar to factor analysis but applied to nominal contingency tables. Along the way they also discuss online personality tests, marital therapy, modern antibiotics, the Newlywed Game, grand slams, the advantages of being flexible, disre
S6E15 Loglinear Models: Someone Should Have Told You
In this week’s episode Greg and Patrick talk about loglinear models as a clever method to deconstruct the potential dependencies among two or more categorical variables. Along the way, they also discuss Children of the Corn, Mr. Magoo glasses, tighty whities, Fogo de Chão, blinded by hand soap, logarithms as drug mules, Euler Euler Euler, conspiracy boards and red yarn, M&M colors, depth perce
S6E14 Factor Rotation: But is it Art?
In this week's episode Greg and Patrick invoke the very personal interpretation of modern art as a framework for thinking about the exceedingly cool topic of rotation in exploratory factor analysis. Along the way they also discuss Venice Beach, haystacks, drug fronts, being insufferable, ignoramuses, .22's and stop signs, weak pivots, honking factors, pooping out matrices, the Gulf of Am
S6E13 Group Codes in GLM: Dummy and Dummier
In this week's episode Greg and Patrick talk about group coding approaches, like dummy variables and effect code variables, for helping to analyze group differences within the larger general linear model. Along they way they also discuss hacking up a lung, made for audio faces, walking pneumonia, putting Vicks VapoRub on your feet, cards in your spokes, confusing rental cars, crash test dummi
S6E12 Suppression Unrepressed
In this week's episode Patrick and Greg explore the fascinating world of suppressor variables which have the nearly magical, yet fully understandable, distinction of being unrelated to the dependent variable yet serving to enhance the predictive utility of other variables in the model. Along the way they also discuss getting the giggles, giving away our secrets, Sigmund Freud, repressed vari
S6E11 A Brief Holiday Message...
This week we just want to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season, and we look forward to sharing more quant fun in the new year. Please take care everyone!Stay in contact with Quantitude!Web page: quantitudepod.orgTwitterX: @quantitudepodYouTube: @quantitudepodMerch: redbubble.com
S6E10 Instrumental Variables (Dad)Rock!
In today’s episode, Greg and Patrick talk about instrumental variables: what they are, how they help to make causal claims, and the many assumptions and challenges associated with them. Along the way they also mention: Festival of Side Dishes, pilot turkeys, gutsy bagpipes, charter schools, drama kids, RCT wieners, Space Force, licking a rainbow, Duranimals, draft lotteries, shoelace color, buttre
S6E09 Masterpiece Theatre: Skrondal & Laake (2001)
This week Patrick and Greg talk about one of Patrick's favorite papers, which is a masterpiece not only in terms of its quantitative contribution in understanding the differential role of factor scores, but also as a model of clear and concise technical communication. Along the way they also mention Sandals and Motel 6, hotel hangers and glasses, hitchhikers under the bed, icebreakers with Ro
S6E08 The Statenfreude of Generalized Estimating Equations
In this week's episode, Patrick and Greg discuss the benefits and limitations of generalized estimating equations as an approach to dealing with data that violate the assumption of independence. Along the way they also mention: goat rodeos, haunted houses, jump scares, liberos, Haikyu!!, Whoa Ace!, dadenfreude, Otto, cutting the baguette, this just in, American Idiot, bing bong bing bong, my
S6E07 Structural After Measurement and the Muffin of Truth
In this week's episode Greg and Patrick talk about the advantages of recent structural after measurement work, allowing us to break apart traditional structural equation models to analyze the measurement and structural portions separately. Along the way they also discuss the baseball playoffs, fire pit face plants, the gluten cabinet, pumpkin inadequacy, a soupçon of ginger, free range muffin
S6E06 Pop Quiz: Acronyms
In this week's episode Greg tries to ambush Patrick by bringing back the popular feature Pop Quiz, this time with a statistical acronym theme, only to pretty much get crushed by Patrick in the end. Along they way they also discuss: Wow That's Fantastic, QR codes and octogenarians, Questionable Rectum, catharsis, grassy knolls, petards, Sean ringtones, pity minutes, apologies to Roy Levy,
S6E05 Cattell's Data Box
In this week's episode Patrick and Greg discuss Cattell's data box and try to better understand what it is, what it is not, and how we might make use of this in practice. Along the way they also discuss illegal knives, baseball cards, the Cubs and the Mariners, bicentennial quarters, how to load a dishwasher, horrible people, anal retentive friends, Flat Stanley, Dungeons & Dragons,
S6E04 Person-Centered vs. Variable-Centered Analysis
In this week's episode, Patrick and Greg talk about person-centered methods versus variable-centered methods with the punch line being that the historically contentious distinction between these two is unnecessary, unhelpful, and even counter-productive. Along the way they also mention lost luggage, Sabena Air t-shirts, the Inquisition, honey badger Americans, Fredrik Backman, punch lines, a
S6E03 Multiple Choice Is ______
In this week's episode Greg and Patrick explore the surprisingly tricky topic of multiple choice items: how to write them, how not to write them, and giving a well written test the respect it deserves. Along the way they also discuss recognizing emotions, laying down 50 feet of rubber, glass animals, rewriting your kid's test, self-righteousness, Dora the Explorer, the Magna Carta, accid
S6E02 Judging Inter-Rater Reliability
In this week's episode Patrick and Greg talk about different ways of assessing inter-rater agreement and reliability among two or more raters and the importance of doing so. Along the way they also discuss the summer Olympics, underdogs, monologue face-offs, Quincy Wilson, Boomers, the Soviet judge, biopsy subjectivity, the secret to college admissions reliability, skipping conference dinners
S6E01 Growth as a Predictor? Back to School with Ethan McCormick
In this week's episode, the first of Season 6, Greg and Patrick visit with Dr. Ethan McCormick, an Assistant Professor of Educational Statistics and Data Science in the School of Education at the University of Delaware. After catching up on Ethan's international adventures they discuss his recent work on using growth factors as predictors of distal outcomes and how pretty much everything
S5E25 Is Being a Professor the Right Fit for Me?
In this week’s episode, our 150th and the last of season 5, Greg and Patrick hear from five people at different stages of their academic journey, who share some of their concerns about a career in academia. Along the way we also mention: deathscrolling, Patrick’s fuzzy blanket, slow motion ballerina, Twix, academia infomercial, Twitter admins, micromanaging, pilot training, young Turks at the gate
S5E24 Zombie Wheel of Distributions
In this week's episode Patrick and Greg somehow manage to tie together pretending to be sick with game shows with zombies with conspiracy boards to explore the remarkable inter-relations among probability distributions, starting with the Bernoulli and biting their way through the binomial, z, t, chi-square, F, and beyond. Along the way they also discuss having a 122 degree temperature, playin
S5E23 A Rosetta Stone for DAGs and SEM
In this week's episode Greg and Patrick talk about both structural equation modeling and directed acyclic graphs, or DAGs, where they are similar and where they are different, and try to provide a Rosetta Stone for translating back and forth between the two. Along the way they also discuss pop, garage sales, thinking about excessive thought, roly-polies, potato bugs, been to the cinema, sweet
S5E22 Survival Analysis in the Social Sciences: It's About Time
In this week's episode Patrick and Greg explore the incredibly cool topic of survival analysis, which is a set of techniques that allows for powerful tests of predictors of the amount of time to experiencing an event; yet these models are not often used in many areas of study. Along the way they also discuss the date of your death, running with scissors, Patrick's Audi A8, because she&ap
S5E21 Multilevel Factor Analysis: But What Do The Factors Mean?!
In this week's episode, Greg and Patrick talk about the challenges of combining confirmatory factor analysis and multilevel data, and the underappreciated but absolutely critical role that theory plays in choosing the proper model for your constructs. Along the way they also discuss learning in a second language, torn meniscuseseses, concert C trumpets, nosy neighbors, forts of equations, art
S5E20 Local fit...Because Global Fit Measures Suck!
In this week's episode Greg and Patrick discuss the assessment of global vs. local model fit and they argue that although global measures of fit can be useful, carefully assessing local fit may be of much greater importance in practice. Along the way the also discuss cheap beach house rentals, misplaced sand dunes, Mrs. Lincoln, the child catcher, hushpuppies, cockroach feces, academia as com
S5E19 Item Response Theory, Q.E.D.
In this week's episode Patrick and Greg provide an introduction to the Item Response Theory model: what it is, how it relates to traditional factor analysis, and how this modem approach improves upon some of the limitations of classical test theory. Along the way they also mention weinerness, memorizing Latin for punishment, eggszampke, in ether words, ITR, switching a and b, I’m not defensi
S5E18 Probability on Spring Break
In this week’s episode, Patrick and Greg play with some of the basics of probability in the context of some classic, fun, and often counterintuitive examples. Along the way they also discuss arguments with relatives, a feel for the roulette wheel, Xeroxing your butt, “The coin has spoken.”, Quantitude BooqQlub, the Bellagio Fountains, Clooney and Pitt look-alikes, the Flippier, Rosencrantz and Gu
S5E17 Classification and Regression Trees with Yi Feng
In this week's episode Greg and Patrick are honored to visit with Yi Feng, a quantitative methodologist at UCLA, as she helps them understand classification and regression tree analysis. She describes the various ways in which these models can be used, and how these can serve to inform both prediction and explanation. Along the way they also discuss looking pensive, drunken 3-way interactions
S5E16 Simpson's Paradox
In this week's episode Greg and Patrick talk about Simpson’s Paradox: what it is, examples of where it occurs in real life, and why we might not really need to think about it as a paradox at all. Along the way they also discuss Apple Vision, The Simpsons predicting the future, sitting too close to the TV, low levels of radiation, Paul the octopus, Blinky, shtuff, duck duck duck, Jonathan the
S5E15 Classical Test Theory (in bed)
In this week's episode Greg and Patrick take a walk down memory lane to rediscover classical test theory, although they revisit this through the lens of modern latent variable models. They describe how these classical methods are actually highly restricted latent measurement models and they explore how these restrictions can be relaxed and even tested. Along the way they also discuss weird d
S5E14 Regression to the Mean
In this week's episode Patrick and Greg launch a new occasional series called Stuff You Should Know. The topic for today is regression to the mean: what the heck is it, how does it arise in every day life, and what can we do about it. Along the way they also discuss the space-time continuum, Kai Ryssdal, inflation, witches of MacBeth, the hidden curriculum, oh dang, sh*t (ummm...STUFF) you sh
S5E13 The Confidence Interval's Tale
In this week's episode Greg and Patrick talk about confidence intervals: symmetric and asymmetric, asymptotic and bootstrapped, how to interpret them, and how not to interpret them. Along the way they also mention tire pressure gauge mysteries, conference travel reimbursement, phases of the moon, gyroscopic effects, baseball walk-of-shame, why people hate us, settling out of court, confidence
S5E12 Meta-Analysis With Paschal Sheeran
In this week's episode Patrick and Greg have great fun talking about meta-analysis with Paschal Sheeran, a social psychologist from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He describes what meta-analysis is, what it offers, and how to apply it in your own work. Along the way they also discuss taking off into the north vs the south, flipping people off, being subtle, metaphysics, say
S5E11 Statistical Ideas That Die Hard
In this week's episode, marking the fifth Quantitude Holiday Celebration, Greg and Patrick argue about their favorite holiday movies, including whether Die Hard counts as one or not; they then proceed to discuss several statistical ideas that also seem to Die Hard. Along the way they talk about so much gibberish that we don't even bother listing it here.Stay in contact with Quantitude!We
S5E10 Nonlinear Latent Growth Curve Models (Taylor's Version)
In this week's episode Greg and Patrick explore alternative parameterizations of the SEM-based latent curve model to capture various forms of nonlinearity, some that are approximations and others that are exact. Along the way they also discuss Swifties, remastering your life, bull testicles, the world's worst RA job, Yerkes-Dodson law, show a little ankle, the St. Louis Arch, bachelorett
S5E09 Regularized Variable Selection Methods
In today’s episode Greg and Patrick talk about regularization, which includes ridge, LASSO, and elastic net procedures for variable selection within the general linear model and beyond. Along the way they also mention Bowdlerizing, The Family Shakespeare, disturbance in the force, McNeish on his bike, Spandex, C’mon guys wait up, the altar of unbiasedness, Curranizing, shooting arrows, stepwise go
S5E08 Confirmatory Composite Analysis: Enter the Hexagon
In today’s episode, Greg and Patrick dig into Confirmatory Composite Analysis, a very clever way to get formative factors and their causal indicators into the traditional structural equation modeling framework, along with any other latent factors and their effect indicators that might already be in the model. Along the way they also mention full-contact Wordle, being grounded, spelling bees, state
S5E07 Perspectives on Formative Factors & Causal Indicators
In today’s episode, Patrick and Greg talk about the challenge of having causal indicators of formative factors within an analytical framework that is historically dominated by effect indicators and latent factors — and the critical importance of getting your arrows right. Along the way they also mention: self help books, habits, Hagrid and the giants, When Arrows Attack, The Handbook of SEM, the e
S5E06 Advanced Factor Structures
In today’s episode, Patrick and Greg talk about fun extensions to the basic confirmatory factor model, including higher order models, bifactor or residualized models, and multitrait-multimethod models. Along the way they also mention microscope lab, burning ants, substitute teaching, Cool or Creepy?, Monet, Clueless, haystacks, hotdogs, What are you thinking?, pennies and pounds, party like it’s 1
S5E05 Multilevel Models Unleashed
In this week’s episode Greg and Patrick take advantage of the recent expiration of a statute of limitations that legally allows them to talk about the multilevel model: what it is, when we might use it, and extremely cool extensions that it allows. Along the way they also discuss hostile federal judges, McNeish, airing of grievances, Gauss and Markov’s corpses, Sesame Street, distributional baguet
S5E04 Dissertations: Quant Ideas From Actual Experts
In this week's episode Patrick and Greg enlist the help of six quantitative methodological scholars, who share a wide variety of fertile ground for quantitative research, which should be useful for students seeking dissertation topics as well as anyone interested in active methodological areas. Along the way they also mentioned: Kill Bill, The Waltons (with corpses), taking away grandpa'
S5E03 The DON'Ts and DOs of the Dissertation
In this week's episode Patrick and Greg plumb the depths of what is a dissertation and what purpose does it serve. They are aided in the use of an AI language interpreter to translate old man grousing to positive and supportive advice for students as they discuss the strengths and weaknesses of a dissertation project. Along the way they also mention: pumpkin spice, marching bands, Maximus Dec
S5E02 Multicollinearity: The Usual Suspect
In this week’s episode, Greg and Patrick talk about the terrifying, the feared, the dreaded … Multicollinearity. Blamed for a multitude of general linear model problems, they dare to ask the question: “But should it be?” Along the way they also mention: having your stump ground out, fall guys, Keyser Soze, croissants and breadsticks, baguettes in space space space, mostly dead, the Cliffs of Moher
S5E01 Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curves
In this week's episode, the first of Season 5, Patrick and Greg explore the very cool world of receiver operating characteristic, or ROC, curves: what they are, how they work, and why we can give partial thanks to Winston Churchill for their existence. Along the way they also mention: advent calendars, lasagna for 8, Honey Nut Cheerios, radio detection and ranging, flock of seagulls, broken p
S4E25 Cluster Analysis
In the last episode of season 4, Greg and Patrick discuss the very cool exploratory technique of cluster analysis — including concepts of multivariate distance, hierarchical and non-hierarchical methods, and how it differs from mixture models. Along the way they also mention: Scandinavian architects, raccoons on meth, vegetarian hotdogs, sh*t-ton of do-loops, free-range jam, statistical hairballs,
S4E24 Longitudinal Measurement Invariance
In this week's episode Patrick and Greg talk about the critical and often unmet assumptions underlying the use of measured variables at multiple time points, whether for simple analyses like tests of means or more complex analyses like modeling individual growth. Along the way they also mention: following your blocker, Pascal’s wager, Wikipedia empathy, ham sandwich syllogisms, flying cattle
S4E23 QuantCrit: A Conversation With Christen Priddie
In this week's episode Greg and Patrick are joined by Christen Priddie of Indiana University who will help them learn a bit about QuantCrit: its foundations, its purpose, and how it can enrich the quantitative methods process to which we might have become a little *too* accustomed. Along the way they also mention unknown unknowns, explaining the ocean, young Pat, cackling, how Greg pays for
S4E22 April Fools! Quantitative Things That Fool Us
In honor of April Fool's Day, this week's episode is about being fooled, specifically quantitative things that can fool you, accompanied by some classic songs about being fooled. Along the way, Greg and Patrick also mention ukus, the spaghetti harvest, sucker!, meet the new boss, traditions of doing things wrong, naked garbage bag poker, old man rants, rich Facebook friends, The Scarlet
S4E21 Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling
In this week's episode Patrick and Greg talk about exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), a technique drawing upon the strengths of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis methods and able to be embedded within structural equation models. Along the way they also mention crab vs. crabs, Most Dangerous Catch, Next Day Blinds, smash-and-grab, sharp pencils, opening the barn doors,
