Abstract
For applied researchers interested in using quantitative data to evaluate research questions about family–school partnership programs, the data structure complexities that are encountered in family and school systems’ research provide challenges that complicate the associated analyses. This chapter describes some of the challenges that are encountered in research focused on families and schools and includes recommendations for models that can be used to handle some of the resulting methodological dilemmas. Examples of research questions and data structure complications are provided using the context of family–school partnership research. The models that can be used to handle the associated complexities are then demonstrated. The types of models that are discussed include conventional multilevel models, cross-classified and multiple membership random effects models, multivariate multilevel models for handling dependence from multiple, related outcomes for different participant types (e.g., student versus teacher or parent), and multilevel latent variable regression models. This chapter also provides references where readers can access more detail about the relevant models and about associated software that can be used to estimate some of the models.
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Notes
- 1.
For simplicity’s sake, the term “parent” is used throughout this chapter to refer generically to the person who is serving as the primary caregiver for a child or adolescent.
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Acknowledgements
This study was supported by a federal grant awarded by the US Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences (Grant # R305A120144). The opinions expressed are those of the author and are not considered reflective of the funding agency.
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Beretvas, S.N. (2015). Uncovering Processes and Pathways in Family–School Research: Modeling Innovations for Handling Data Complexities. In: Sheridan, S., Moorman Kim, E. (eds) Processes and Pathways of Family-School Partnerships Across Development. Research on Family-School Partnerships, vol 2. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16931-6_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16931-6_5
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