SHORT COURSE DESCRIPTION
The statistical models that are the focus of this workshop are known as diagnostic classification models (DCMs) or, alternatively, cognitive diagnosis models and restricted latent class models. These models are typically viewed as scaling alternatives to multidimensional item response theory and confirmatory factor analysis models. They can be applied in a variety of disciplines in the social and behavioral sciences where diagnostic decisions are desired. For example, DCMs can help to describe the statistical properties of the instruments, whether respondents have mastered certain skills, or which cognitive processes they engage in when responding to the instruments. The data may come from a variety of instruments including large-scale achievement tests, psychological questionnaires, or consumer reports.
The workshop is based on the book by the same name, which I have co-authored with Jonathan Templin from the University of Georgia at Athens and Robert Henson from the University of Michigan; the workshop fee includes a softcover copy of the book that will be made available to participants on site. The book won the 2012 American Educational Research Association Division D Award as a Significant Contribution to Educational Measurement and Research Methodology. Since it is based on the book the workshop consists of three complementary parts that describe (1) the theory underlying diagnostic assessment design for use with DCMs, (2) the statistical structure of a variety of DCMs vis-à-vis alternative scaling methodologies, and (3) key procedures for applying DCMs successfully in practice. The workshop format consists of presentation, discussion, and short exercises with sample code in Mplus and R provided for model specification and estimation. Real-life examples will be provided throughout to facilitate the presentation of the methodological approaches. Participants are encouraged to bring their own laptops.
TARGET AUDIENCE
Graduate students, emerging researchers, continuing researchers
MATERIALS
Textbook
All registered participants receive a paperback copy of the book on which the workshop is based: Rupp, A. A., Templin, J., & Henson, R. A. (2010). Diagnostic measurement: Theory, methods, and applications. New York: The Guilford Press.
Slides & Data
Slides, sample data sets, and code in R will be made available to registered participants during the week of the workshop at the very latest.
DATES & SCHEDULE
August 15-16, 2013
Thursday, August 15
08:30 - 09:00 Continental Breakfast (provided)
09:00 - 10:45 Introduction, Chapter 1, Chapter 2
10:45 - 11:00 Break
11:00 - 12:30 Chapter 3, Chapter 4
12:30 - 01:30 Lunch (not provided)
01:30 - 03:00 Chapter 5
03:00 - 03:15 Break
03:15 - 05:00 Chapter 6
Friday, August 16
08:30 - 09:00 Continental Breakfast (provided)
09:00 - 10:45 Chapter 7, Chapter 8
10:45 - 11:00 Break
11:00 - 12:30 Chapter 9
12:30 - 01:30 Lunch (not provided)
01:30 - 03:00 Chapter 12, Chapter 13
03:00 - 03:15 Break
03:15 - 04:30 Chapter 14, Chapter 10, Chapter 11
04:30 - 05:00 Synthesis & Concluding Remarks
LOCATION
Margaret Brent Room
Adele H. Stamp Student Union
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
COURSE FEES
(seats limited)
$450 for both days; $295 for full-time students
HOW TO REGISTER
Short-course registration form
NEARBY AIRPORTS
DIRECTIONS: DRIVING
From Baltimore and Points North
- Take I-95 South to Washington, D.C.'s Capital Beltway (I-495).
- Take Exit 27 and then follow signs to Exit 25 (U.S. 1 South toward College Park).
- Proceed approximately two miles south on U.S. Route 1.
- Turn right into Campus Drive entrance (main gate).
- Proceed up Campus Dr to the "M" circle, go halfway around the circle and continue on Campus Dr (second right after entering the circle).
- Proceed up Campus Dr to the "M" circle, go halfway around the circle and continue on Campus Dr (second right after entering the circle) until you see Stamp Student Union on your right side.
From Virginia and Points South
- Take I-95 North to Washington, D.C.'s Capital Beltway (I-495).
- Continue North on I-95/I-495 toward Baltimore.
- Take Exit 25 (U.S. 1 South toward College Park).
- Proceed approximately two miles south on U.S. Route 1.
- Turn right into Campus Drive entrance (main gate).
- Proceed up Campus Dr to the "M" circle, go halfway around the circle and continue on Campus Dr (second right after entering the circle) until you see Stamp Student Union on your right side.
From Virginia and Points West
- Take I-66 East or I-270 South to Washington, D.C.'s Capital Beltway (I-495).
- Go East on I-495 toward Baltimore/Silver Spring.
- Take Exit 25 (U.S. 1 South toward College Park).
- Proceed approximately two miles south on U.S. Route 1.
- Turn right into Campus Drive entrance (main gate).
- Proceed up Campus Dr to the "M" circle, go halfway around the circle and continue on Campus Dr (second right after entering the circle) until you see Stamp Student Union on your right side.
From Annapolis and Points East
- Take U.S. 50 to Washington, D.C.'s Capital Beltway (I-495).
- Go North on I-95/I-495 toward Baltimore.
- Take Exit 25 (U.S. 1 South toward College Park).
- Proceed approximately two miles south on U.S. Route 1.
- Turn right into Campus Drive entrance (main gate).
- Proceed up Campus Dr to the "M" circle, go halfway around the circle and continue on Campus Dr (second right after entering the circle) until you see Stamp Student Union on your right side.
From Washington, D.C. (Northwest/Southwest)
- Take 16th St. North which becomes Georgia Ave. North at Maryland/D.C. line.
- Go East on I-495 toward Baltimore.
- Take Exit 25 (U.S. 1 South toward College Park).
- Proceed approximately two miles south on U.S. Route 1.
- Turn right into Campus Drive entrance (main gate).
- Proceed up Campus Dr to the "M" circle, go halfway around the circle and continue on Campus Dr (second right after entering the circle) until you see Stamp Student Union on your right side.
From Washington, D.C. (Northeast/Southeast)
- Take Rhode Island Ave. (U.S. 1 North) which becomes Baltimore Ave. North at Maryland/D.C. line.
- Proceed through the city of College Park.
- Turn left at Campus Drive entrance (main gate).
- Proceed up Campus Dr to the "M" circle, go halfway around the circle and continue on Campus Dr (second right after entering the circle) until you see Stamp Student Union on your right side.
VISITOR PARKING
Participants may park at the Union Lane Garage (located between the Adele H. Stamp Student Union and Cole Field House) for a daily fee. There are numerous metered spaces on campus but the University police are diligent about ticketing cars at expired meters as well as cars without appropriate stickers in reserved parking lots.
More information about parking on University of Maryland Campus can be found at the web site: http://www.cvs.umd.edu/visitors/parking.html
METRO (SUBWAY)
The Campus is conveniently located approximately 1 mile from the College Park-University of Maryland Metro Station. The stop is on the green line of the D.C. Metro System. The University of Maryland Shuttle Bus runs from the College Park Metro stop on a twenty-minute schedule through the Campus. Or, a brisk twenty minute walk up a moderate hill through the Campus will bring you to all locations.
D.C. Metro Map: http://www.wmata.com/rail/maps/map.cfm
ACCOMMODATIONS
Participants are responsible for arranging their own accommodations. For out-of-town guests, there are several sources of accommodations in the immediate area. Information about hotel pricing and reservations can be found at the web site: http://www.cvs.umd.edu/visitors/offcampus.html. Note that participants will need to make their own arrangements for transportation to and from campus.
[Note that there is a hotel located on the edge of the University of Maryland campus: The Marriott Inn & Conference Center, University of Maryland University College. For more information about this hotel, visit: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/wasum-the-marriott-inn-and-conference-center-university-of-maryland-university-college/]
André A. Rupp is currently an Associate Professor in the Measurement, Statistics and Evaluation (EDMS) program in the Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology at the University of Maryland (http://education.umd.edu/EDMS/fac/Rupp/) where the workshop is being held. Over the years, he has worked in different research positions in Canada, Germany, and the United States. Before coming to EDMS, he worked at the national research institute for standards-based assessment in Germany, which gave him a comprehensive understanding of how conflicting demands of assessment designers, curriculum experts, measurement specialists, and policy-makers need to be negotiated for successful large-scale assessment projects. Thus, he brings a unique perspective to the workshop that relates to both the methodological and the applied spectrum of large-scale assessment work.
His research interests center on investigating how the theoretical potential of Diagnostic Classification Models (DCMs) can be best realized in interdisciplinary practice, especially in educational assessment. His mission is to aid practitioners in dissecting and translating the often relatively complex landscape of the educational measurement literature into meaningful guidelines for best practice. He wants to specifically facilitate communication among experts with different backgrounds and belief-systems within interdisciplinary projects that use multidimensional measurement models generally and DCMs specifically. Recently, in collaboration with colleagues at Cisco, he has started to explore how such models can be used to analyze complex data arising out of simulation-based epistemic games to provide feedback that supports learning in such environments.
Prof. Rupp is also Chair of the SIG for Cognition and Assessment at AERA. Beginning in July 2013 he will be starting a new position at the Educational Testing Service, while retaining an affiliation with the University of Maryland.
He may be reached at ruppandr@umd.edu.