Yan Liu

Research Interests

My main research interests are in developing and disseminating innovative psychometric and statistical methods for addressing issues related to well-being and cognitive development. I have explored how we can apply causal models, including propensity score matching and mediation models, to psychometric and psychological research. I am also researching quantitative methods for analyzing response processes, longitudinal and multilevel data, and complex data, e.g., mixture distributions and zero-inflated distributions.

To analyze large scale assessment and text data, I have recently integrated machine learning and natural language processing (NLP) into my research. I also have been combining assessment and eye-tracking techniques into my studies on cognitive processes.

Selected Recent Journal Publications (* indicates student author)

Liu, Y., Béliveau, A., Besche, H.C., Wu, D. A., Zhang, X. Y., Stefan, M., Gutlerner, J., & Kim, C. (2021). Bayesian mixed effects model and data visualization for understanding item response time and response order in open online assessment. Frontiers in Education: Assessment, Testing and Applied Measurement. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2020.607260

Beauchamp, M. R., Liu, Y., Dunlop*, W. L., Ruissen*, G. R., Schmader*, T., Harden*, S. M., Wolf, S. A., Puterman, E., Sheel, A. W., & Rhodes, R. E. (2021). Psychological mediators of exercise adherence among older adults in a group-based randomized trial. Health Psychology, 40(3), 166-177. https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0001060

Liu, Y., Kim, C., Wu, A. D., Gustafson, P., Kroc, E., & Zumbo, B. D. (2020). Investigating the performance of propensity scores approaches for differential item functioning analysis. Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods. https://doi.org/10.22237/jmasm/1556669280

Ruissen*, G. R., Liu, Y., Schmader*, T., Lubans*, D. R., Harden*, S. M., Wolf, S. A., Rhodes, R. E., Dunlop, W. L., Puterman, E., & Beauchamp, M. R. (2020). Effects of group-based exercise on flourishing and stigma consciousness among older adults: Findings from a randomized controlled trial. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-being. https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12197

Feng*, D., Liu, Y., Mazloomi*, M.S., Limaye*, A., Turner*, M., Evans, P.D. (2020). A virtual reality system to augment teaching of wood structure and protection. International Wood Products Journal. https://doi.org/10.1080/20426445.2020.1737773

Chen, M., Liu, Y., & Zumbo, B.D. (2019). A Propensity score method for investigating differential item functioning in performance assessment. Educational and Psychological Measurement. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013164419878861

Chen, M., Wu, A. D., & Liu, Y. (2019). Linking test-taking process to performance through mixed-effects regression models: A response process–based validation study. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734282919861269

Anderson, D., Shimizu, H., Liu, Y., & Grover, R. (2019). Psychological factors influencing the vividness and affect of visitors’ recall of nostalgic life memories in museums. Current Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-019-00299-6

Bennett*, E. V., Clarke*, L. H., Wolf*, S., Dunlop*, W.L., Harden*, S.M., Liu, Y., Estabrooks, P.A., Rhodes, R. E., & Beauchamp, M. R. (2018). Older adults’ experiences of group-based physical activity: a qualitative study from the ‘GOAL’ randomized controlled trial. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 39, 184 – 192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2018.08.017

Pullman*, A., Chen*, M., Zou*, D., Hives*, B., & Liu, Y. (2018). Researching multiple publics through latent profile analysis: Similarities and differences in science and technology attitudes in China, Japan, South Korea and the United States. Public Understanding of Science, 28(2), 130-145. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963662518791902

Beauchamp, M. R., Ruissen*, G. R., Dunlop*, W. L., Estabrooks*, P. A. Harden*, S. M, Wolf*, S. A., Liu, Y., Schmader, T., Puterman, E., Sheel, A. W., & Rhodes, R. E., (2018). Group-based physical activity for older adults (GOAL) randomized controlled trial: Exercise adherence outcomes. Health Psychology, 37(5), 451-461. https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0000615