Given the increased focus of educational research on what works for whom and under what circumstances over the last decade, educational researchers are increasingly turning toward mixture models to identify heterogeneous subgroups among students. Such data are inherently nested, as students are nested within classrooms and schools. Yet there has…

Currently, dynamic structural equation modeling (DSEM) and residual DSEM (RDSEM) are commonly used in testing intensive longitudinal data (ILD). Researchers are interested in ILD mediation models, but their analyses are challenging. The present paper mathematically derived, empirically compared, and step-by-step demonstrated three types (i.e.,…

The social relations model (SRM) is very often used in psychology to examine the components, determinants, and consequences of interpersonal judgments and behaviors that arise in social groups. The standard SRM was developed to analyze cross-sectional data. Based on a recently suggested integration of the SRM with structural equation models (SEM)…

The MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories (CDI) are widely used, parent-report instruments of language acquisition. Here, we focus on the word-inventory sections of the instruments, and show two different approaches to modeling CDI data, based on real-world needs. First, we show that Words & Gestures data collected…

Comparative education is advancing with a growing emphasis on innovative research methodologies; however, integrating these approaches to address complex global education challenges remains difficult. While traditional qualitative methods are valuable, they often fail to capture the multifaceted nature of today's educational landscape. This review…

Simulations were conducted to establish best practice in hyperparameter optimization and accounting for clustering in Generalized Linear Mixed-Effects Model Trees (GLMM trees). Using data-driven best practices, the relationship between a 9th Grade On-Track to Graduate (9G-OTG) indicator and observed high school graduation within four years was…

In times of decreasing response rates and survey participation, many 'best-practices' have been developed for increasing survey recruitment. However, most of these have never been adequately and experimentally scrutinized for their efficacy. Therefore, in this research note, we draw on probability-based data of an online panel and experimentally…

The issue of missing data raises concerns in all statistical and educational research. In this study, we focus on missing data in school-based assessment data generated by progressed high school learners (those who did not meet the promotional requirements for their current grades but were allowed to move to the next grade because of policy…

The purpose of this research note is to introduce a latent growth curve reconstruction approach based on the Tabu search algorithm. The approach algorithmically enables researchers to optimally determine at both the individual and the group levels the order of the polynomial needed to represent the latent growth curve model. The procedure is…

Managing and analysing large qualitative datasets pose a particular challenge for researchers seeking a consistent and rigorous approach to qualitative data analysis. This paper describes and demonstrates the development and adoption of a matrix tool to guide the qualitative data analysis of a large sample (N = 122) of interview data. The paper…

Intensive longitudinal data has been widely used to examine reciprocal or causal relations between variables. However, these variables may not be temporally aligned. This study examined the consequences and solutions of the problem of temporal misalignment in intensive longitudinal data based on dynamic structural equation models. First the impact…

Secondary data analyses occur when new analyses are proposed for existing data. Although they are prevalent in special education research, there is little guidance on how to prepare secondary data analyses studies. Preregistration of secondary data analyses studies provides a nice opportunity and structure for fellow researchers to share…

In this registered report, we evaluated how sleep is related to school functioning. Using data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N = 3002), we evaluated a series of structural equation models evaluating whether sleep at age 5 has a direct or indirect effect on academic achievement, executive function and classroom behaviour at…

Context: Prolonged disconnection from school and work represents major setbacks during the transition to adulthood and is a distinct feature of the developmental trajectories of many disadvantaged youths, especially those from a marginalized racial background (Hong and Chung 2022; Shanahan 2000). Differential schooling experiences are hypothesized…

Participatory modeling (PM) is an engaged research methodology for creating analog or computer-based models of complex systems, such as socio-environmental systems. Used across a range of fields, PM centers stakeholder knowledge and participation to create more internally valid models that can inform policy and increase engagement and trust…