The Department of Education invited Xia Jiangang of the University of Nebraska Lincoln to offer a short English course entitled Quantitative Methods in Educational Research from December 18 to 28 for enhancing the students’ understanding of educational research methods. The course covered the introduction of SPSS to the establishment of multi-layer linear models, how to build measurement models, how to lay them, and how to combine them. Xia took his own research as an example, by using international data to bring us the joy of quantitative research methods in education.
About SPSS
Xia took us to practice in SPSS method with the data of SASS and PISA, and selected the appropriate measurement methods based on the problem, for instance, descriptive statistics, t-test, F-test and so on. He suggested that we should use different types of inspection method under different circumstances were given in specific cases. Relevance and regression, as the last knowledge point in SPSS, were also carefully explained by Xia.
About Mplus
If the first week's SPSS were just a small test, the second week's MPUS have already contained the meaning of simple programming.Firstly, the relationship between SPSS and Mplus is established from simple regression. Variables are selected from TALIS data, and the measurement model of relevant variables is established based on TALIS framework and research reports. Then, a complete MSEM model is formed by combining them.In the last course, Xia taught us how to build a mediation model on the premise of the multiple structural equation model. We knew that Mplus can run multi-level relationships at the same time.
Recommendation of Important Resources
In addition to basic course resources, such as SPSS, Mplus, N2 and other software installations. Xia also recommended many international free data links and American university resources or tutors for students and he hoped that students will be based on the present, facing the world, getting more closed to the international advanced research methods.
Experience and Understanding
After two weeks, Xia taught the curriculum that bringing a wonderful performance to the students. Many students took their own research proposal to consult, Xia always given his precious opinion and careful answers. Every afternoon, Xia came class early but went by late. He wanted to strive for a little more time for answering questions. At the end of the course, students were also benefit a lot from it.
