RESEARCH ASSISTANT II
Full-time
Newton, MA
Description
Education Development Center (EDC) is one of the world’s leading non-profit research and development firms. Established in 1958, EDC’s work spans the globe, joining research with practice to meet today’s and tomorrow’s challenges in education, health promotion, technology, human rights, and the environment. While the issues we confront are complex, all that we do is united by one simple conviction: Learning is the liberating force in human development.
EDC is Committed to Diversity in the Workplace
The Adapting Reading Test Items Based on Modified Academic Achievement Standards (ARTIIV) in Education, Employment and Community Programs has an opening for a Research Assistant (II), reporting to the Project Director in EEC.
The Research Assistant II will be working on a US Department of Education funded study whose goal is to help five states develop alternate assessments based on modified academic achievement standards (AA-MAS). The work will focus on implementing cognitive interviews with high school students to gain an understanding of their understanding of standardized reading tests.
The Research Assistant II will be involved directly with the cognitive interviews, and should have experience in interviewing techniques, protocol development and revision, analysis of qualitative data, and/or interest in large scale assessment, item development, and cognitive processing.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS - All staff are expected to communicate clearly and courteously; to develop and maintain positive relationships with clients, consultants, collaborators, co-workers, field sites, and funders; and to work respectfully with EDC colleagues.
All jobs require adherence to EDC policies & procedures. Under management guidance, the Research Assistant (II) provides support to qualitative &/or quantitative investigation efforts, including:
• research & analysis, using independent judgment in consultation
• drafting, revising
• documenting & cataloguing
• maintaining records
• preparing recommendations
• disseminating information
• development and proposal assistance
• conducting cognitive interviews with secondary school students
• using quantitative and qualitative analysis software
• analyzing assessment items
The Research Assistant (II)
• Facilitates project teamwork; engages collaboratively in feedback
• Leads specific administrative tasks
• Assists with quality assurance
• Provides logistical support
• May assist in the coordination of sections of projects
• May provide direction to support staff
• May be expected to travel
QUALIFICATIONS - All jobs require educational achievement; excellent writing skills; demonstrable initiative, creativity, and flexibility; ability to work independently and effectively in groups; strong interpersonal & organizational skills.
This position requires:
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education & experience
• Master’s degree or equivalent combination of training & education in a related field preferred
• 3–5 years related research, education or administrative coordination, requiring experience with computer applications (including databases) and Internet research
• experience in qualitative research with high school age youth and/or students with disabilities
• experience in assessment item development and/or cognitive development preferred
Posted: September 15, 2008
