The Institute of Education Sciences has funded Propensity Score Analysis of Multilevel Data: A Systematic Review through its Statistical and Research Methodology in Education program. The two-year University of Florida project will develop research evidence and practical resources for applying propensity score methods to multilevel educational data.
Award at a Glance
- Funding agency: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences (IES), National Center for Education Research (NCER)
- Program: Statistical and Research Methodology in Education
- Project type: Methodological Innovation
- Award number: R305D260024
- Principal Investigator: Walter Leite
- Co-Principal Investigators: Huibin Zhang and Wei Li
- Wei Li’s role: Co-Principal Investigator
- Project period: August 1, 2026-July 31, 2028
- Award amount: $348,917
About the Project
The project will systematically review education studies published from 2005 through 2025 that used propensity score analysis with multilevel data. It will examine methodological choices across six major stages: data preparation, propensity score estimation, implementation, balance evaluation, treatment-effect estimation, and sensitivity analysis. The team will compare common research practices with recommendations from the methodological literature and translate the findings into accessible guidance for education researchers.
Planned Resources
- A systematic review paper.
- Conference-based training courses.
- Analysis flowcharts and reporting checklists.
- A project website and YouTube video series.
Connection to LCDS Research
This award strengthens the lab’s work in causal inference, multilevel data analysis, systematic-review methods, and practical guidance for rigorous observational studies. It also complements ongoing LCDS research on power and sample-size planning for propensity score-based quasi-experimental designs.
Read about the lab project or visit the official IES award page.