Advanced Methods in Automatic Item Generation, by Mark J. Gierl, Hollis Lai, and Vasily Tanygin
Published May 2021 by Routledge ($160.00 hardback; $48.95 paperback; e-books also available)
This book describes the growing field of research on automatic item generation (AIG), providing a current perspective for students, scholars, and industry professionals alike. The advent of new technology, along with the increase in digital media and internet use and availability, have created opportunities for technology-enhanced educational measurement. In this book, theoretical foundations are discussed, along with practical considerations. Topics include basic concepts, model development, item generation methods, templates, distractor generation, and validation methodology. Chapters also touch on advanced topics, multilingual considerations, and alternative item types. The authors provide a range of expertise, from academic educational psychology to computer science.
Analyzing Textual Information: From Words to Meanings through Numbers, by Johannes Ledolter and Lea. S. VanderVelde
Published May 2021 by SAGE Publications, Inc. ($30.00 paperback; e-books also available)
While traditional statistical analyses operate on numerical information, the influx of digital content, such as social media, combined with historical documentation, has provided social scientists and researchers with huge quantities of data to analyze. This book provide a practical introduction and guide to bring quantitative methodology and analysis to textual data. Readers will learn skills such as text mining, sentiment analysis, and data pre-processing, within an R software environment. Code is provided for instructional purposes, and case studies are included to illustrate both historical and contemporary applications. Additional related resources are provided online.
Designing Qualitative Research: Seventh Edition, by Catherine Marshall, Gretchen B. Rossman, and Gerardo L. Blanco
Published June 2021 by SAGE Publications, Inc. ($60.00 paperback; e-books also available)
An update to an existing best-selling text with the addition of a new co-author, this book offers guidance for designing qualitative research. Readers are introduced to research genres, conceptual frameworks, data collection and interpretation, and research proposals. The book provides examples, tools, and vignettes to illustrate the content. Accompanying instructor resources, such as slides for presentations, are available online. History of the field is discussed, along with emerging research and methodologies, such as social media and other digital applications of qualitative research. Research ethics and credibility is discussed at length.
Bayesian Structural Equation Modeling, by Sarah Depaoli
Published August 2021 by Guilford Press ($75.00 hardback; e-books also available)
The book offers an introduction to structural equation modeling (SEM) within a Bayesian framework. The chapters are intended to be accessible and clear, with a systematic approach to guide readers through implementation of the methods discussed. Diverse fields are represented in the examples provided, which narrate and highlight various common problems that may arise and techniques. Topics include measurement models, longitudinal models, and detailed discussion of fit indices. The book provides examples of publication-ready findings and annotated analysis plans. Sample code is provided, for both Mplus and R, along with a companion website for datasets, examples, and resources.
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