23 October 2025 

In October 2025, the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL), in partnership with the Graduate School, hosted a workshop series on Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), led by Professor Gordon Cheung, Professor of Organisational Behaviour in the Department of Management and International Business at the University of Auckland. SEM is a statistical tool widely used in social science research, including management, marketing, psychology, and education, particularly with survey data. By explicitly modelling measurement error, SEM yields more robust and reliable statistical estimations.

The series commenced with an online module from 14 to 16 October, during which Professor Cheung focused on core SEM principles and foundational concepts. Participants gained hands-on experience by conducting confirmatory factor analysis using the measureQ package, learning to validate whether observed variables accurately represent underlying latent constructs. The programme continued with in-person sessions on 22 and 23 October, delving into advanced topics such as measurement invariance and moderation effects.

Blending rigorous theory with practical application, the workshop series empowered empirical researchers with sophisticated SEM proficiency, enabling them to tackle contemporary research challenges with greater methodological confidence and precision.