Research

 

** TÜBİTAK 3005 - Innovative Solutions in Social Sciences and Humanities Research Projects Funding Program 

 

The Effects of an Innovative Learning Environment Design for Educational Statistics on Graduate Students' Achievement Mediated by Statistics Anxiety and Self-Efficacy

(In progress, October 2025 - September, 2027)

 

The aim of graduate education is to raise qualified researchers capable of conducting independent studies (Gardner, 2008). However, limited statistical experience among students in social and educational sciences leads to high levels of statistics anxiety and difficulties in understanding and applying statistical tests (Pan & Tang, 2004). Existing studies on educational statistics achievement have mostly focused on factors such as statistics anxiety, self-efficacy, and attitudes, while technology-based research has remained limited in scope. Moreover, there is a notable lack of individualized tests designed to measure achievement. This study aims to design a technology-supported learning environment for educational statistics, grounded in the Sociocultural Learning Theory (Vygotsky, 1978) and the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework (Garrison et al., 2000). The environment will employ a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) approach. The second aim is to develop a multistage adaptive test (MST) to measure statistical achievement. The design is intended to reduce students’ statistics anxiety and enhance their self-efficacy and achievement.

Project Coordinators

  • Project Director: Gamze UÇAK ERSİZER
  • Advisors: Dr. Serkan ARIKAN & Dr. Eren Can AYBEK
  • Research Fellow: Gözde DEMİR ERTUĞRUL

 

** TÜBİTAK 2219 - International Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program for Turkish Citizens

 

Developing a Cognitive Diagnostic Multistage Test for Assessing 4th Grade Mathematics Skills of Turkish and Spanish Students

(In progress, September 2025 - September, 2026)

 

As educational assessment becomes more digitalized, computerized adaptive tests and its implications are receiving more attention. Adaptive tests often yield a single score based on Item Response Theory (IRT). However, one of the primary goals of assessment systems is to improve students' performance by providing adequate feedback, rather than merely assigning a single score. Therefore, researchers are exploring ways to enhance individualized feedback provided by adaptive tests to maximize their benefits and make it easier to incorporate adaptive tests into classroom environments. Cognitive Diagnostic Multistage Testing (CD-MST) (von Davier & Cheng, 2014) and Cognitive Diagnostic Computerized Adaptive Testing (CD-CAT) (Huebner, 2010) are two approaches that combine adaptive tests with cognitive diagnostic assessments to provide individualized feedback based on mastery of skills. However, CD-MST studies are primarily based on simulation research and live CD-MST research is missing in the field. Thus, the current project aims to develop a 4th grade mathematics test in the form of live CD-MST in both Turkish and Spanish. This live test will be able to provide diagnostic feedback to students based on their mastery of skills.

Project Coordinators

  • Project Director: Dr. Serkan ARIKAN
  • Advisor: Dr. Pablo NAJERA
  • Researchers: Dr. Eren Can AYBEK & Dr. Jimmy DE LA TORRE

 

** TÜBİTAK 1711 - Artificial Intelligence Ecosystem Call

 

Artificial Intelligence Based Weekly Study Plan Preparation Engine with Applicable Test Measurements 

(Completed, January 2024 - July 2025)

 

This project's goal is to provide recommendations on what to study, which is one of the most difficult aspects of studying for an average student. In this context, by integrating multi-stage tests with artificial intelligence, it is intended to create a course study plan engine. This project is supported by TÜBİTAK 1711 in which BounAdaptiveTestLab, Kunduz and Polinom Educational Institutions serve as project partners.

Project Coordinators

  • Project Director: Dr. Serkan ARIKAN
  • Advisor: Dr. Eren Can AYBEK
  • Consortium Member: Kunduz Educational Institution
  • Research Fellows: Hüsna KARABACAK & Emir DERİN & Sinem AYDIN & Irem GENÇOĞLU

 

** TÜBİTAK 1002-A - A Short term Support Module

 

Developing Assessment-literacy Assessment Framework and Measuring via Multi-stage Testing 

(Completed, December 2023 - December 2024)

 

In this project, an assessment literacy framework will be developed based on current academic studies.Additionally, a multi-stage test (MST) will be created to assess pre-service teachers’ assessment literacy. MST allows for efficient and accurate measurement with fewer questions and less error. It has been anticipated that the framework to be designed will provide a common ground for assessment courses in faculties of education, and thus improve the assessment literacy of pre-service teachers. Moreover, it will provide benefits for a wide audience as it can be used as a basis for in-service training and research on measurement and evaluation. The project is supported by TÜBİTAK.

Project Coordinators

  • Project Director: Dr. Serkan ARIKAN
  • Advisors: Dr. Eren Can AYBEK & Dr. Güneş ERTAŞ POLAT 
  • Research Fellow: Belgin ERİZ

 

** BAP-SUP - Boğaziçi University Scientific Research Projects Start-Up Program

 

Developing a Computerized Adaptive Test for Assessing Mathematical Abilities of 4th Grade Students and Investigating the Effects of State Test Anxiety on Measurement Precision 

(Completed, January 2021 - September 2023)

 

This project aims to develop a Computerized Adaptive Test (CAT) to assess elementary school students’ mathematical abilities at the end of their elementary school year. Not only quantitative score of students but also qualitative performance level descriptors of the student abilities will be reported. Additionally, the effect of selecting the first set of items according to students’ state test anxiety level in CAT applications will be investigated.  It is hypothesized that if anxious students start with easier items, their ability level will be estimated with higher precision in CAT.

Project Coordinators

  • Project Director: Dr. Serkan ARIKAN
  • Advisor: Dr. Eren Can AYBEK
  • Research Fellows: Dr. Güneş ERTAŞ POLAT & Sanem SARILICAN & Belgin ERİZ