Measurement and quantitative methods are relevant to many professional fields. Measurement (often called psychometrics) is mostly concerned with statistical approaches to evaluating assessments. Private sector jobs in measurement often are found in the testing industry, where pyschometricians analyze responses to test to ensure that test scores are accurate and fair representations achievement or development. Similar positions can also be found in state and local government, developing and evaluating assessments used in K12 education. Measurement and quantitative methods can also be used in other settings where research questions are to be explored through the application of advanced modeling techniques (HLM, SEM, Factor Analysis, IRT). Methodologists can use their skills in quantitative methods to answer varied social science, policy, and evaluation questions.

The measurement and quantitative methods concentration in the Department of Educational Research Methodology (ERM) has a comprehensive curriculum with a focus on psychometrics and quantitative methods. The distinguishing features of this concentration include:

  • A strong grounding in research methodology
  • Extensive course offerings in psychometrics, including courses in classical and modern test theory, equating and linking, and advanced topics in measurement
  • Faculty with a strong connection to both applied practice and theoretical modeling
  • Access to real-world experiences on measurement grants and contracts

The aim of the Measurement and Quantitative Methods concentration is to develop evaluation scholars and practitioners who have the knowledge and skills to design and implement evaluations across multiple, diverse program settings. Our course offerings in evaluation and methods are listed below:

 

Core Measurement & Quantitative Methods Faculty and Staff

Below is a list of ERM faculty teaching core courses in measurement & quantitative methods. Click on their name, to learn more about them and their research interest.

Micheline Chalhoub-DevilleMicheline Chalhoub-Deville

Professor Chalhoub-Deville is widely recognized for her contributions to the field of language testing and assessment. Learn more about Professor Chalhoub-Deville from her bio page.

 

 Robert HensonBob Henson

Dr. Henson’s primary focus of research is diagnostic classification models (also known as cognitive diagnosis models). Learn more about Dr. Henson from his bio page.

 

Kyung Yong headshotKyung Yong Kim

Dr. Kim’s primary focus of research is linking for multidimensional item response theory models. Learn more about Dr. Kim from his bio page.

 

Richard Luecht headshotRichard Luecht

Dr. Luecht has designed numerous algorithms and software programs for automated test assembly and devised a computerized adaptive multistage testing framework used by a number of large-scale testing programs. Learn more about Dr. Luecht from his bio page.

Devdass SunnasseeDevdass Sunnassee

Dr. Sunnassee currently teaches several graduate level courses related to the methods and application of statistics and survey methodology in the field of educational research. Learn more about Dr. Sunnassee from his bio page.

John WillseJohn Willse

Dr. John Willse’s current research involves several approaches to latent trait modeling (e.g., structural equation modeling, item response theory, diagnostic classification, and mixture measurement models). Learn more about Dr. Willse from his bio page.