NAEP RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Analyzing NAEP and TIMSS Data Using R: 2021 EdSurvey Large-Scale Data Analysis Training Series

The 2021 EdSurvey Large-Scale Data Analysis Training Series will take place during four virtual sessions each Wednesday of October 2021 from 12:00pm – 2:30pm ET. The October series will introduce the unique design features of NAEP and TIMSS data to researchers and provide guidance in data analysis strategies that they require, including the selection and use of appropriate plausible values, sampling weights, and variance estimation procedures (i.e., jackknife methodology). The course will provide participants with hands-on practice training in analyzing public-use NAEP and TIMSS data files using the R package EdSurvey, which was developed for analyzing national and international large-scale assessment data with complex psychometric and sampling designs. At the end of the October series, participants will:

• Be familiar with the psychometric design and complex sampling structure of large-scale NCES national assessment data including NAEP and TIMSS assessment data;
• Understand the methodological aspects of the databases and their implications for analysis; and
• Know how to use the R EdSurvey package, including how to:
  • Process the data and perform suitable data manipulation; and
  • Conduct common statistical analyses with the data, including descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation, and regressions.

The knowledge and analytic approach learned from this course can be applied to analyzing other large-scale national and international data with plausible values.

This course is designed for individuals in government, universities, the private sector, and nonprofit organizations who are interested in learning how to analyze large-scale assessment data, such as NAEP and TIMSS data.

An agenda will be provided to accepted participants.

Terms of Attendance

There is no fee to attend the workshop. Attendance is mandatory. Accepted applicants are expected to be on time and join all four virtual sessions on October 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th. Please note the following, and consider your schedule when applying:

• If you are more than 15 minutes late to a session you will be dropped.
• Missing the first or any session will exclude you from attending subsequent sessions.

Application Process

Qualifications

Applicants should have basic knowledge of statistical techniques including statistical inference and multiple regression analysis. Having working knowledge of Item Response Theory and sampling theory is preferred. Participants are expected to have certain familiarity with R software (e.g., took an entry level training on R programming, and can use R for basic programming such as simple data cleaning or running a regression).

Timeline

Application Period: Opens September 7 and closes September 26 at 11:59 pm ET .
Space is limited. Notifications to accepted applicants will be sent no later than September 29.
Upon notice of acceptance to the training you will need to respond within 24 hours with confirmation of your ability to attend all four training days.

Application

Evaluation

Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• The potential for both applicants and NAEP/TIMSS to benefit from applicants' participation; and
• Applicants knowledge and skills in data analysis and programing in R.