Longitudinal Design, Power, and Optimal Study Planning
We develop design parameters, power methods, and sample-size tools for longitudinal, multilevel, and repeated-measures studies.
Led by Wei Li
Building rigorous evidence for education decisions
The Longitudinal Causal Data Science Lab is directed by Wei Li, Associate Professor in Research and Evaluation Methodology at the University of Florida and NSF CAREER Awardee. Our work connects statistical methodology, causal evaluation, education data science, AI, and applied partnerships.
We develop statistical methods, software, and applied partnerships that help education researchers design longitudinal studies, estimate causal effects, understand who benefits, and connect impact evidence to cost, implementation, and scale.
Research Focus Areas
Four ways we build stronger evidence
Causal Evaluation and Heterogeneous Treatment Effects
We study experimental and quasi-experimental methods, staggered difference-in-differences, mediation, moderation, and machine learning for heterogeneous effects.
Education Data Science, AI, and Digital Learning Systems
We use large-scale administrative, digital learning, assessment, and AI-enabled data systems to generate interpretable evidence.
Intervention Evaluation, Cost-Effectiveness, and Implementation Evidence
We connect impact estimates with cost, implementation, scalability, and decision-making for education programs.
News
Lab updates
Wei Li serves as a Co-Principal Investigator on a $348,917 IES award supporting a systematic review and practical guidance for propensity score analysis with multilevel educational data.
View the official IES awardWei Li will attend the 2026 ECR:Core and ECR:BCSER Awardee Meeting and present work on statistical power and design planning for longitudinal STEM studies.
View the NSF CAREER projectWei Li and Katherine J. Strickland presented collaborative methodological and applied education research at the 2026 Modern Modeling Methods Conference.
View the conference programWei Li will serve as Irving and Rose Fien Endowed Professor for 2026-2028.
View UF faculty awardsWei Li and Katherine J. Strickland received internal UF HDOSE Strategic Reinvestment funding for a research-methods project on causal discovery and high-dimensional treatment methods.
View the project detailsWei Li began a two-year term as Associate Editor for the International Journal of Educational Development.
Visit the IJED journal pageWei Li and Katherine J. Strickland received Gates Foundation support for an applied study of Math Matrix micro-credentials.
View the project detailsWei Li joined Yusen Zhai and collaborators on the UF AIIRI SEED Fund project CRISIS: Counselor Response & Intervention Simulation with Intelligent Support.
View the project detailsWei Li is chairing the search committee for an Assistant/Associate Professor in AI-Based Quantitative Research Method in Education.
View the UF position postingWei Li will continue serving on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Research on Educational Effectiveness.
Visit the JREE journal pageWei Li joined the Editorial Board of Psychology in the Schools for a two-year term.
Visit the journal pageDoctoral student Xueyan Gao was selected for the Pasco County Schools Graduate Externship Program.
View the HDOSE highlightsWei Li's project on longitudinal program evaluation and design parameters received funding from the COE-Lastinger Research Catalyst Awards.
Read the UF announcementA project on sample size and power analysis for propensity score-based quasi-experimental studies was selected for HDOSE Strategic Reinvestment funding.
View the project detailsWei Li received an NSF CAREER award to develop methods and tools for power and sample size planning in longitudinal studies.
View the official NSF award