This focused three-hour workshop introduces latent growth curve modelling (LGCM) as a flexible framework for understanding change over time. Latent growth curve models help researchers track change over time by tracing how outcomes develop across repeated measurements. This makes them especially useful for studying human development, intervention outcomes, and long‑term social and economic trends.
After a brief orientation to the SEM concepts specific to growth modelling, the workshop moves into working with unconditional latent growth curve models to examine the shape and nature of change. Attention then shifts to modelling individual differences in trajectories, with a focus on why people change at different rates, before introducing how growth models can be used to test differences in change across groups or cohorts.
The workshop concludes with selected extensions of the latent growth framework to illustrate how these models can be expanded to address more complex applied problems. Throughout the session, emphasis is placed on interpretation, research design considerations, and common pitfalls rather than technical and mathematical underpinnings. All examples are demonstrated using freely available, annotated syntax and selected output in Mplus and R (lavaan).
The workshop is based on a recent publication by the presenter that provides a practical guide to latent growth curve models and their applied use. Attendees will be provided with this resource ahead of time.
Presenter Biography
Dr Alexander O’Donnell is a Research Fellow at The University of Queensland (Australia), where his work focuses on applying advanced quantitative methods to real‑world policy and social research questions. He has extensive experience designing and analysing longitudinal data, with particular expertise in unpacking human growth across the life course.
Alex has led data collection and methodological components of multiple funded research and evaluation projects, including work supported by the ARC, Commonwealth government departments, and international research partners. He has delivered methods training to higher‑degree researchers and applied researchers across psychology, education, and the social sciences. His workshops combine theory with hands‑on examples using multiple statistical packages.