Research Interests
My research interests include classroom processes related to learning outcomes, small-group problem solving, achievement testing in mathematics and science, aptitude-treatment interaction research, and generalizability theory.
1. My work in the area of group collaboration and learning is a blend of empirical research, conceptual development, and development of materials and procedures for practitioners, and addresses the following themes: (a) identifying the interpersonal processes that are beneficial for learning, (b), predicting students’ experiences during collaborative work and their learning outcomes from individual and group characteristics and the interactions between them, and (c) investigating ways to prepare students and teachers for effective collaborative work.
2. In the area of generalizability theory, I focus on a combination of application, pedagogy, and synthesis. These include (a) empirical studies of the dependability of achievement scores, performance assessments, observations of student and teacher behavior, and job performance measurements, (b) instructional writing to bring the potential of the theory and applications to the educational research community and other audiences in an understandable way, and (c) review and synthesis pieces for applied and technical audiences.
Publications in the last five years:
- Shavelson, R. J., & Webb, N. M. (in press). Generalizability theory. In Green, J. L., Camilli, G. & Elmore, P. B. (Eds.), Complementary Methods for Research in Education. (3rd ed.) Washington, DC: AERA.
- Webb, N. M., Shavelson, R. J., & Haertel, E. H. (in press). Reliability and Generalizability Theory. In Rao, C. R. Handbook of Statistics.
- Herman, J. L., Webb, N. M., & Zuniga, S. A. (in press). Measurement issues in the alignment of standards and assessments: A Case study. Applied Measurement in Education.
- Herman, J. L., & Webb, N. M. (Eds.) (in press). Special Issue of Applied Measurement in Education: Alignment Issues.
- Webb, N. M., Ing, M., Nemer, K. M., & Kersting, N. (in press). Help seeking in cooperative learning groups. In R. S. Newman and S. A. Karabenick (Eds.), Help Seeking in Academic Settings: Goals, Groups and Contexts. Erlbaum.
- Webb, N. M., Nemer, K. M., & Ing, M. (in press). Small-group reflections: Parallels between teacher discourse and student behavior in peer-directed groups. Journal of the Learning Sciences.
- Webb, N. M., & Shavelson, R. J. (2005). Generalizability Theory: Overview. In B. S. Everitt & D. C. Howell, Eds.), Encyclopedia of Statistics in Behavioral Science (pp. 717-719). Wiley.
- Shavelson, R. J., & Webb, N. M. (2004). Generalizability theory. In Kemp-Leonard, K., Editor, Encyclopedia of Social Measurement (pp. 99-105). Oxford, UK: Elsevier.
- Webb, N. M. & Mastergeorge, A. M. (2003). Promoting effective helping behavior in peer-directed groups. International Journal of Educational Research, 39, 73-97.
- Webb, N. M. & Mastergeorge, A. M. (2003). The development of students’ learning in peer-directed small groups. Cognition and Instruction, 21, 361-428.
- Webb, N. M., Farivar, S. H. , & Mastergeorge, A. M. (2002). Productive helping in cooperative groups. Theory Into Practice, 41, 13-20.
- Webb, N. M., Nemer, K. M., & Zuniga, S. (2002). Short circuits or superconductors? Effects of group composition on high-achieving students’ science performance. American Educational Research Journal, 39, 943-989.
- Webb, N. M., Schlackman, J., & Sugrue, B. (2000). The dependability and interchangeability of assessment methods in science. Applied Measurement in Education, 13, 277-302.
- Fall, J. R., Webb, N. M., & Chudowsky, N. (2000) Group discussion and large-scale language arts assessment: Effects on students' comprehension. American Educational Research Journal, 37, 911-942.
Recent Courses
Education 211A Measurement in Education: Underlying Theory
Education 230B Linear Statistical Models in Social Science Research: Multiple Regression Analysis
Education 299A Research Practicum in Education
