We review common situations in Bayesian latent variable models where the prior distribution that a researcher specifies differs from the prior distribution used during estimation. These situations can arise from the positive definite requirement on correlation matrices, from sign indeterminacy of factor loadings, and from order constraints on…

Global trends in higher education emphasize the development of curricula that offer greater responsiveness to learners. Creating flexible and responsive curricula will require additional support systems for curriculum management. The first step toward sustainably developing this kind of system is to represent essential curricular information in a…

Given decision-makers often prioritize causal research that identifies the impact of treatments on the people they serve, a key question in education research is, "Does it work?". Today, however, researchers are paying increasing attention to successive questions that are equally important from a practical standpoint--not only does it…

Despite the unanimous agreement regarding the positive outcomes of learner engagement, theorists and researchers draw attention to the disparate conceptualizations and structural models of "engagement" construct. The present study, in this respect, attempts to contribute to the development of a theoretical framework by suggesting a…

In the context of Bayesian factor analysis, it is possible to compute plausible values, which might be used as covariates or predictors or to provide individual scores for the Bayesian latent variables. Previous simulation studies ascertained the validity of mean plausible values by the mean squared difference of the mean plausible values and the…

The term "rigor" in education often evokes resistance due to its inconsistent definitions and widespread misconceptions. This study introduces and validates the RIGOR Walk framework, a research- and practitioner-informed tool designed to define, observe, and enhance rigorous learning environments across classrooms. The framework is…

In this article Antti Moilanen assesses criticisms of Wolfgang Klafki's model of exemplary teaching made by Meinert Meyer and Hilbert Meyer and by Chi-Hua Chu. "Exemplary teaching" is a style of discovery-based teaching in which students study concrete examples of general principles in such a way that they acquire transferable knowledge…

This paper scrutinizes the increasing trend of using international large-scale assessment (ILSA) data for causal inferences in educational research, arguing that such inferences are often tenuous. We explore the complexities of causality within ILSAs, highlighting the methodological constraints that challenge the validity of causal claims derived…

Notwithstanding the neuromyth controversy, the malleability of learning style preferences impacts the validity of the measurement instrument and the effectiveness of the associated model of learning. This study investigates the test-retest reliability and underlying dynamics of Kolb's Learning Style Inventory (KLSI). It surveys 245 college-level…

Research has shown that multiple-indicator multiple-cause (MIMIC) models can result in inflated Type I error rates in detecting differential item functioning (DIF) when the assumption of equal latent variance is violated. This study explains how the violation of the equal variance assumption adversely impacts the detection of nonuniform DIF and…

Background: For decades, education researchers have relied on the work of Campbell, Cook, and Shadish to help guide their thinking about valid impact estimates in the social sciences (Campbell & Stanley, 1963; Shadish et al., 2002). The foundation of this work is the "validity typology" and its associated "threats to…

One of the central components of cognitive diagnostic assessment is the Q-matrix, which is an essential loading indicator matrix and is typically constructed by subject matter experts. Nonetheless, to a large extent, the construction of Q-matrix remains a subjective process and might lead to misspecifications. Many researchers have recognized the…

Since 2018, institutions of higher education have been aware of the "enrollment cliff" which refers to expected declines in future enrollment. This paper attempts to describe how prepared institutions in Ohio are for this future by looking at trends leading up to the anticipated decline. Using IPEDS data from 2012-2022, we analyze trends…

As evidence from evaluation and experimental studies continue to influence decision and policymaking, applied researchers and practitioners require tools to derive valid and credible inferences. Over the past several decades, research in causal inference has progressed with the development and application of propensity scores. Since their…

This dissertation consists of three essays that use and develop econometric methods to causally investigate topics in education and development economics. In the first chapter, I develop an econometric framework to correctly and efficiently draw inference in models where estimated value-added (VA) is an explanatory variable (and models where it…