This internal research-methods project, Causal Discovery and High-Dimensional Treatment Methods for Evaluating Online Learning Platforms: With Application to Lastinger Center Literacy Matrix Data, supports methodological work for evaluating digital learning environments.
Within the lab, this project connects causal methods with large-scale digital learning data. The applied setting is Lastinger Center Literacy Matrix data, with methodological emphasis on causal discovery, high-dimensional treatments, and interpretable evaluation of online learning platforms.
Project Information
- Funding source: University of Florida HDOSE Strategic Reinvestment Fund
- Role: Principal Investigator
- Co-PI: Katherine J. Strickland
- Project period: July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027
- Award amount: $15,000
Project Focus
- Develop and apply causal discovery methods for online learning platform evaluation.
- Study high-dimensional treatment methods in education data.
- Use Lastinger Center Literacy Matrix data as an applied setting for methods development.
Related Publications and Working Papers
- Li, W., & Strickland, K. J. Designing longitudinal quasi-experimental studies using staggered DID: Estimator selection, software implementation, and sample size planning. Working paper.
- Li, W., Gao, X., Ren, S., & Dong, N. (2026). Heterogeneous treatment effects for impact evaluations. Manuscript under review.
- Strickland, K. J., Hill, J., & Li, W. Estimating heterogeneous treatment effects of the gifted and talented program using Bayesian additive regression trees. Working paper.
Related Presentations
- Li, W., & Strickland, K. J. (2026). Power analysis for difference-in-differences studies with staggered treatment adoption. Modern Modeling Methods Conference.
- Strickland, K. J., Hill, J., Lu, Y., & Li, W. (2026). Estimating heterogeneous effects of the gifted and talented program using Bayesian additive regression trees. Modern Modeling Methods Conference.
- Li, W., Strickland, K. J., Gao, X., & Huang, J. (2025). Designing longitudinal quasi-experimental studies using staggered difference-in-differences: Estimator selection, software implementation, and sample size planning. SREE Annual Meeting.