Research Assistant, Education Statistics
Overview
Established in 1946, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is one of the world's largest behavioral and social science research and evaluation organizations. Our mission is to generate and use rigorous evidence that contributes to a better, more equitable world. AIR works with federal, state, and local government agencies, philanthropies and other organizations to conduct research and evaluation and provide technical assistance in the areas of education, health and workforce development, in the U.S. and abroad.
We are seeking a Research Assistant to join AIR’s Education Statistics program area to provide survey questionnaire development and large-scale assessment technical support to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). This specific position will provide support for the development, review and analysis of student, teacher and school survey items for NAEP and other National Center for Education Statistics studies by reviewing survey items, the assessment delivery platforms and integration of those items into the delivery platforms, and assist senior staff in conducting small scale investigations to improve item quality. In addition, the position requires the ability to work with members of a larger team whose mission is to help ensure the quality of the NAEP assessments. This position can be located out of any of the following AIR locations once offices are reopened: Crystal City, VA, Rockville, MD, Austin, TX, Chicago, IL, Chapel Hill, NC or Waltham, MA.
Responsibilities
- Reviewing and documenting comments for new NAEP survey questionnaire items in all NAEP subject areas and all respondents for content accuracy, language clarity, tablet-based functionality
- Conducting side-by-side reviews of revisions to assessment items and tasks
- Assisting senior staff in conducting small scale investigations related to NAEP item quality. This may include using R or a similar statistical program to conduct small scale analysis
- Attending client and contractor meetings
- Developing presentations
- Summarizing small scale data investigations
- Providing subject specific technical reviews, as needed
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in such fields as economics, psychology, sociology, statistics, computer science, public policy, public health or other social science related fields
- Knowledge in applied statistics (e.g. probability and statistical inference, regression, education research methodology, etc.)
- Experience with or inclination to learn and use statistical software programs such as R or Stata to analyze data – a plus (not required)
- Excellent organization, time management, and oral and written communication skills
- Efficient writing skills
- Ability to collaborate within a team environment
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.
AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks