Rasch Applications in Clinical Assessment, Survey Research, and Educational Measurement

Brief Description:

This course covers the practical aspects of construct conceptualization, theory development, and instrument or item bank design, pilot testing, and calibration, relative to the different demands of four primary reasons for measuring (screening, diagnosis, research, accountability).

Instructor(s):
Level: Intermediate

Who Should Take This Course:

Survey researchers and social scientists who use surveys or questionnaires in their work, education assessment analysts and managers.

Dates:
September 14, 2012 to October 12, 2012September 13, 2013 to October 11, 2013
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Registration:
Please read the syllabus tab, noting the prerequisites, text and software requirements.

Register Online -$499
Register Online -$399 (you must be affiliated with a college, university or high school)

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Rasch Applications in Clinical Assessment, Survey Research, and Educational Measurement

Aim of Course:

Rasch measurement focuses on the calibration of instruments providing linear measures from scored observations, such as responses to multiple-choice educational examinations, survey Likert scales and clinically assigned assessments. This course covers the practical aspects of construct conceptualization, theory development, and instrument or item bank design, pilot testing, and calibration, relative to the different demands of four primary reasons for measuring (screening, diagnosis, research, accountability). The overarching value of equating and adaptively administering instruments is addressed. Supporting theory (meaningfulness, reliability, validity) is presented conceptually. Participants are encouraged to analyze their own datasets in parallel to the course datasets. This course is intended as a practical applications follow-on to Rasch Measurement: Core Topics (and, if desired, other Rasch courses).

Important note: The format for this course is an online seminar, in which students review selected readings and offer written critique of assessment instruments. Participation in the critique process is an essential part of the course.

Prerequisite(s):

1. Practical Rasch Measurement: Core Topics


2. Introduction to Statistics 1: Inference for a Single Variable,
3. Introduction to Statistics 2: Working with Bivariate Data (and, if necessary before these courses, Introduction to Statistics for Beginners or Survey of Statistics for Beginners).

If you are unclear as to whether you have mastered the introductory statistics requirements, test yourself with these placement exams here.

Course Program:

Note: This course follows a seminar format, and you will need to do the written exercises to get the most out of it.

SESSION 1: Basic Concepts and Operations in Rasch Measurement

• Introduction to measurement theory
• Basic measurement concepts
• Integrating qualitative meaningfulness with quantitative rigor
• Determining what you want to measure and why
• The value of construct maps

SESSION 2: Rasch Instrument Design

• A comprehensive instrument design science
• Building reliability and precision into the instrument from the start
• Reliability: Internal consistency or reproducible precision?
• Annotating the construct map as the frame of reference

SESSION 3: Theory, Instrument, and Data (Using Rasch software)

• Evidence-based, theory-driven, and instrumentally-mediated decision making
• The role of pilot data in evaluating the instrument and improving the theory
• The role of theory in interpreting the data and (re)writing the instrument
• The role of the instrument in structuring the data and embodying the theory

SESSION 4: Practical use of the map in navigating the terrain: Linking, equating, and adaptive administration

• Choosing a metric
• Anchoring the calibrations
• Self-scoring forms
• Interpreting the measures in practice
• Collective cognition and the progress of science

Organization of the Course:

This course takes place over the internet, at statistics.com for 4 weeks. During each course week, you participate at times of your own choosing - there are no set times when you must be online. Course participants will be given access to a private discussion board. In class discussions led by the instructor, you can post questions, seek clarification, and interact with your fellow students and the instructor.

The course typically requires 15 hours per week. At the beginning of each week, you receive the relevant material, in addition to answers to exercises from the previous session. During the week, you are expected to go over the course materials, work through exercises, and submit answers. Discussion among participants is encouraged. The instructor will provide answers and comments, and you will receive individual feedback on your homework answers.

Credit:
Students come to The Institute for a variety of reasons:

1. You may be interested only in learning the material presented, and not be concerned with grades or a record of completion.
2. You may be enrolled in PASS (Program in Advanced Statistical Studies) that requires demonstration of proficiency in the subject, in which case your work will be assessed for a grade.
3. You may require a "Record of Course Completion," along with professional development credit in the form of Continuing Education Units (CEU's).

As you begin the class, you will be asked to specify your category.

This course offers continuing education units (CEU's). For those successfully completing the course (generally this means marks of 50% or better on the homework), 5.0 CEU's and a record of course completion will be issued by Statistics.com, upon request.

Course Text:

All necessary study material is provided online by the instructor. Helpful additional study material can be found in the book Applying the Rasch Model, 2nd edition (Bond & Fox, 2007, Taylor & Francis/Lawrence Erlbaum Associates). The text can be ordered here.

Software:

The course will use a time-limited version of Winsteps software available when the course starts. Microsoft Excel is used in one exercise.

Register Now

Yes, I want to register for:

Rasch Applications in Clinical Assessment, Survey Research, and Educational Measurement

Instructor(s):
Dates:
September 14, 2012 to October 12, 2012September 13, 2013 to October 11, 2013
Course Fee: $499
Academic Discounted Rate: $399

Before registering, please read the syllabus tab, noting the prerequisites, text and software requirements. When you click the register button, you will be taken to our secure transaction page.

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