Insu Paek, Ph.D. Student Policy, Organization, Measurement, and Evaluation: Quantitative Methods and Evaluation Major: B.A., Education, Seoul National University / M.A., Education, UC Berkeley Career Plans: Either working in a testing company as a measurement specialist or teaching and researching in college Home: Seoul, Korea

"In Berkeley I have met people from virtually every corner of the globe, including Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. This gives the area a richness that is unusual for a university town. "

What I like most about my program:
It offers a very wide range of options in your specialization depending on your interests and aptitude. For example, you can prepare to be a very qualitatively oriented evaluation specialist who might work at an assessment center, or a very quantitative researcher like a statistician . Or you can also prepare for both orientations.

My current research:
My research focuses on theoretical issues of measurement. I am investigating different ways of detecting "test item bias," which is directly related to the fairness of test results and the accuracy of predicting student ability.

My advice to prospective students:
In this area of study, it helps to know early on what research question(s) you want to answer for your dissertation. Although this can change during the program, in general this will help you progress more quickly through your doctoral requirements.

My impressions of the Bay Area:
I enjoy everything about the Bay area except the sky-rocketing costs of rentals. In Berkeley I have met people from virtually every corner of the globe, including Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. This gives the area a richness that is unusual for a university town. Also, some of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen have been here.

 

 

Resumé — Publications — Projects — Other Interests