Summary
The IEA-ETS Research Institute (IERI) is organizing a three-day Academy on estimating multilevel models (MLM) using international large-scale assessment databases. Examples will utilize data from the PIRLS 2021 database.
The Academy will be held in Hamburg, Germany, at the IEA Hamburg, from January 10, 2024 to January 12, 2024.
The general day-to-day schedule of the academy will include both presentations and hands-on practical assignments using the PIRLS 2021 database.
Participation in the Academies will be limited to the first 25 registrants. Participants are expected to cover their own travel and accommodation costs and will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.
The goals of this Academy are to help participants:
1. Learn the theoretical principles and assumptions associated with multilevel modeling (MLM).
2. Understand the methodological implications related to the complex study design of large-scale assessments relevant for conducting MLM.
3. Use Mplus to specify multilevel models that consider the complex design of large-scale assessment data.
4. Interpret and present results of MLM analyses with an emphasis on educational research and policy.
The Academy will introduce the theory and application of MLM, considering features specific to large-scale assessment data. Hands-on-trainings exercises will help participants gain practical experience in applying MLM to large-scale assessment data using Mplus.
The topics covered will be the following:
- Methodological foundations of Multilevel Modeling (MLM)
- ILSA Design and Implications for MLM
- Application of MLM techniques
- Null Models
- Random intercepts model with L1 predictor
- Random intercepts model with L1 and L2 predictors
- Compositional effects
- Contextual effects
- Intercepts-as-outcomes models
- Random slopes model
- Random intercepts and slopes models
- Random slopes model with L1 and L2 predictors (with and without cross-level interaction)
- Using Mplus to specify MLM considering the complex design of large-scale assessment data
- How to develop research questions and present results from MLM analyses
- Additional MLM models (If time permits)
- Random intercepts model with classes at L2
- Three-level random intercepts models
The general day-to-day schedule will include both presentations, hands-on practical assignments, and question and answer sessions. During the last day of the Academy, participants will be expected to present the outlines of a research project and share results obtained using the techniques covered in the Academy.