Intraindividual structural equation models for learning experiences

ABSTRACT

With a growing interest in research on educational processes, there is a need to overview suitable latent variable models for students' learning experiences in real-time. This tutorial provides an introduction to intraindividual (multilevel) structural equation models (ISEM) for the analysis of process data (e.g. intensive longitudinal, intraindividual, diary, or person-period data) collected in educational settings. Using example data on 202 students' ecological momentary assessment of 10 to 24 reports (M = 14.9, SD = 3.2), of controlled (extrinsic) and autonomous (intrinsic) motivation the following models are presented: (1) measurement models and covariate effects models; (2) models for fixed, random, and moderator effects; and (3) models for reciprocal effects of chronologically ordered data. Step-by-step instructions for modelling, and substantive interpretations are given. Overall, ISEM establishes an important window into research on real-time educational processes.

KEYWORDS:

• Intraindividual
• motivation
• ecological momentary assessment
• multilevel structural equation models
• intensive longitudinal data

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by John Fell Fund, University of Oxford and Research Councils UK [Academic Fellowship 2007-12].