Faculty and students are invited.
Join the live webcast by Consortium for the Advancement of Research Methods and Analysis (CARMA). Dr. Richard Bagozzi, Dwight F. Benton Professor of Behavioral Science in Management, University of Michigan, will speak on Structural Equation Models for Cooperative Small Group Contexts: The Interplay of Theory and Method in Goal-Directed Behavior.
10:00 a.m.
Friday, January 27
Imagination Lab, MBEB 2302
Dr. Richard Bagozzi is the Dwight F. Benton Professor of Behavioral Science in Management at the University of Michigan. He is a past Senior Fulbright Hays Research Scholar, Medal of Science, and Thomas Reuters recognition for ranking among the top 1% most cited researchers between 2002 and 2012.
Abstract: Theory and method influence each other: how we conceive of phenomena constrains how we measure it, and how we measure phenomena shapes how we think about it. To better understand certain aspects of small group behavior (e.g., family decision making; purposive behavior of teams), I introduce a new conceptualization of small group behavior (plural subject theory) and apply structural equation models (SEMs) to it. The SEMs aim to test hypotheses with respect to goal-directed behavior of small groups and do so while correcting for systematic (e.g., method) and random error. People in small groups act as key informants of shared aims, desires, decisions, and other states or traits within a framework of collective social action. In contrast to the more common “singularist” approach to social action, where small group behavior is formulated in terms of beliefs, feelings, intentions, and other states or traits of individuals in the group, plural subject theory relies on group members providing information on collective properties jointly held by members with regard to such mutual states as group beliefs, emotions, desires, intentions, etc. In other words, focus is on collective intentionality, not individual intentionality, which is better suited to small group behavior.
Reap the benefits of CARMA
Boise State University is now an institutional member to Consortium for the Advancement of Research Methods and Analysis (CARMA).  Register at the CARMA site and you will have access to CARMA membership benefits such as: live webcasts, video library of past webcasts and fifty percent fee discounts on research methods short courses. There are courses on “Introduction to R,” “Big Data and Data Mining” among many other options.