W. David Scales

Education

• MS, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• BA, University of New Mexico Albuquerque

Research Interests

• Multi-focus, cross-disciplinary approach to standard and novel techniques for applying advanced measurement techniques to all academic fields, with a primary focus on education and educational psychology<br>• Applications of item response theory, structural equation modeling, factor analysis and other psychometric techniques to issues concerning student learning, motivation, self-efficacy and retention; equity education; and issues concerning advanced learners<br>• Application of the generalized graded unfolding model (GGUM) of item response theory to survey research and development<br>• Interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary approaches to student retention and advancement, reading & literacy teaching methods<br>• Interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary research opportunities<br>• Mixed-methods approaches to educational research, analysis and interpretation<br>• Standard-setting techniques and applications<br>• Assessment creation and curricular alignment using principled item design techniques<br>• Issues of validity as they apply to current educational testing, assessment, policies and programs at all levels<br>• Application of cognitive diagnostic models and classification models in educational settings