Pao-Lu Hsu Distinguished Lecture
Zhiliang Ying 应志良
Professor of Statistics, Columbia University
Fellow of the American Statistical Association
Fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics
Lecture I
History and examples
Thur., 16:00-17:00, June 19, 2025
Abstract
Measurement theory has played a foundational role in educational and psychological assessment. This lecture will start with the historical development of the measurement theory and the statistical thinking behind it. Statistical learning of testing/assessment data will be discussed, and examples be given to show its effectiveness. The emergence of computer-based assessment with large and complex data will then be discussed with examples to demonstrate the challenges and opportunities.
Lecture II
Models, methods, and theory
Fri., 10:30-11:30 am, June 20, 2025
Abstract
Statistical models and the associated methods are the crucial tools for the design, analysis, and interpretation of educational and psychological assessments. This lecture will cover both the classical item response theory (IRT) based approach and more recent developments that incorporate more complex data (e.g., process data) and structure (cognitive diagnosis). Attention will be paid to the latent variable based models for dimensional reduction and embedding with meaningful interpretation. Examples will be used to demonstrate modern statistical models and methods in action.
About the Speaker
Professor Zhiliang Ying is an internationally renowned statistician whose scholarship has shaped the application of statistics to educational and psychological measurement. He has conducted transformative research in areas such as computerized adaptive testing, problem-solving process data, adaptive learning, and the use of big data in educational assessment.
A professor of statistics at Columbia University, he is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of psychometricians and statisticians, including through a postdoctoral training program funded by the National Science Foundation. Professor Ying has also regularly convened researchers and practitioners of educational measurement from North America, Europe, and Asia to address emerging problems in measurement with new statistical tools. He has been editor or associate editor of eight statistical journals and has published in the top journals in educational measurement, where his widely cited work has shaped both the theory and the methodology behind assessment. Professor Ying has made remarkable contributions to educational measurement research and to the dissemination of psychometrics knowledge to broader statistical and educational communities.
Thur., 16:00-17:00, June 19, 2025;
Fri., 10:30-11:30 am, June 20, 2025
The old School of Economics & Management Lecture Hall, Tsinghua University
（Opposite Teaching Building No. 5)
