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  2. EDU S061 1

Statistical and Psychometric Methods for Educational Measurement
EDU S061 1

Course Information

Description

This is a survey course on quantitative methods for educational measurement. Students will learn and apply techniques essential for the design and analysis of modern educational and psychological assessments, including reliability, generalizability theory, validation, differential item functioning, item response theory, scaling, linking, standard setting, and adjustments for measurement error. Contexts of assessments include small-scale educational and psychological assessments for targeted research studies as well as large-scale district, state, national, and international assessments for formative, summative, and evaluative purposes. During the first half of the course, students will learn methods from readings and lectures and apply methods to complete data analytic assignments and oral exams. In the second half, methods training will continue, with greater emphasis on reading and critiquing recent research in educational measurement. For their final project, students will develop a research proposal that has promise for advancing the field.


Prerequisites: S-052 or at least two semesters of applied statistics that includes estimation of logistic regression and multilevel models, with software, and in applied contexts. Students who have not passed S-052 must discuss their previous training with the instructor before or at the first class meeting. This course complements S-043 and S-090, and students may enroll in these courses in any order.

School Graduate School of Education
Credits 4
Cross Reg

Available for Harvard Cross Registration

Department Education
Course Component Lecture
Instruction Mode In Person
Subject Education
Grading Basis HGSE Letter Graded
Learning Goals This is a survey of methods of educational and psychological measurement. Students will learn when, why, and how to apply fundamental principles of assessment development and analysis. We focus on designs and methods relevant to small-scale psychological assessments as well as large-scale, high-stakes educational assessments. In this first half, the emphasis will be on learning and applying methods in class and through completion of data analytic assignments and oral exams. In the second half, methods training will continue, with greater emphasis on reading and critiquing recent research in educational measurement and the development and presentation of a research proposal that has promise for advancing the field.
Career Focus <p>This course supports careers that require development, analysis, and reporting of educational and psychological test scores. Common next steps include doctoral research trajectories, research and policy organizations, local, state, and federal educational agencies, and for-profit and not-for-profit educational companies that use assessments.</p>