This is an introductory workshop on sequence analysis, specifically on optimal matching analysis. Optimal matching analysis can be used to assess similarity of sequence data, and to find patterns in longitudinal nominal data. The workshop is targeted at researchers and doctoral students who want to get started with this method. The objective of the workshop is to encourage and enable participants to apply sequence analysis in their own research. After introducing fundamentals of the method, we will provide examples of its use in empirical research. Attendees will then develop practical, hands-on skills for using optimal matching analysis by analyzing a sample data set. We will discuss important practical issues and introduce some advanced applications, giving enough room for discussion and questions. Participants will receive a download link to the free software R, sample data, and some syntax for R that can serve as a blueprint for their own future analyses.
