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Article
Definitions Matter: Investigating and Comparing Different Operationalizations of Academic Undermatching
Research and Practice in Assessment
  • Ann M Gansemer-Topf, Iowa State University
  • Jillian Downey, Truman State University
  • Ulrike Genschel, Iowa State University
Document Type
Article
Publication Version
Published Version
Publication Date
1-1-2017
Abstract

Effective assessment practice requires clearly defining and operationalizing terminology. We illustrate the importance of this practice by focusing on academic “undermatching”—when students enroll in colleges that are less academically selective than those for which they are academically prepared. Undermatching has been viewed as a potential obstacle in the United States’ goal of increasing degree attainment but operationalizing undermatching is difficult. Using ELS: 2002, a national dataset from the U.S. Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics (NCES, 2014), we developed eight operationalizations of undermatching by altering three commonly used variables. We then compared the number and demographics of students who were identified as undermatched. Differences in operationalizations resulted in significant differences in undermatching by gender, race, parental education, and socioeconomic status. Results of this study illustrate the importance of the need to operationalize terminology used in assessment carefully and consistently.

Comments

This article is published as Gansemer-Topf, A.M., * Downey, J., & Genschel, U. (2017). Definitions matter: Investigating and comparing different operationalizations of academic undermatching. Research and Practice in Assessment, 12, 28-40. Posted with permission.

Copyright Owner
RPA: Research & Practice in Assessment
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Citation Information
Ann M Gansemer-Topf, Jillian Downey and Ulrike Genschel. "Definitions Matter: Investigating and Comparing Different Operationalizations of Academic Undermatching" Research and Practice in Assessment Vol. 12 (2017) p. 28 - 40
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/ann_gansemer-topf/24/