ERIC Number: EJ970748
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 15
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0271-0579
EISSN: N/A
Multilevel Modeling: Applications to Research on the Assessment of Student Learning, Engagement, and Developmental Outcomes
Chen, Pu-Shih Daniel; Cragg, Kristina
New Directions for Institutional Research, n154 p95-109 Sum 2012
Understanding the suitability of multilevel modeling in the context of institutional research (IR) may ease the doubts of some IR professionals. However, the need for training on how to conduct and report multilevel modeling analysis remains. A major roadblock hindering the proliferation of multilevel modeling in IR is the perception that multilevel modeling is difficult to learn and that the sample size requirement is very rigid. Many IR professionals seem to think that multilevel modeling can be applied only to cross-institutional studies, as intramural analysis does not provide a large enough sample size within each level. This observation is partially correct, but with a carefully designed data collection strategy, many intramural studies can be analyzed using multilevel modeling. This article provides an example of one typical institutional study that utilizes multilevel modeling to examine student learning outcomes. Using data from a four-year university located in the southeastern United States, a study of the effects of learning communities on student learning was conducted. Discussion of results of the study is followed by examples of effective strategies for reporting multilevel modeling results to institutional stakeholders and decision makers. (Contains 6 tables and 1 figure.)
Descriptors: Statistical Analysis, Models, Institutional Research, Reports, Barriers, Attitudes, Sample Size, Student Evaluation, Outcomes of Education, Colleges, Learning Activities, Discourse Communities, Curriculum, Graduation Rate, College Freshmen, Academic Achievement, Student Participation, Context Effect, Academic Persistence, Group Dynamics, Grade Point Average
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United States
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A