Chia-Lin Tsai

Chia-Lin Tsai is an Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Statistics and Research Methods at the University of Northern Colorado, within the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with a focus on Statistics & Measurement from the University of Missouri, along with advanced degrees in Statistics, School Counseling, and Educational Psychology from institutions including Boston College and National Taiwan Normal University.

Her research focuses on psychometric studies, large-scale educational assessments, and latent variable modeling. Key areas include developing and validating measurement tools (e.g., the SeQoL and PROACTIVE Coping Scale), analyzing teacher evaluation systems, and exploring factors influencing student motivation and persistence, particularly among first-generation college students. She has also examined the socioeconomic impacts of crises like the 2020 pandemic on farmers and veterinary technicians.

Dr. Tsai has authored over 40 peer-reviewed articles in journals such as Measurement: Interdisciplinary Research and Perspectives, Psychology in the Schools, and Applied Psychological Measurement. Her work frequently employs multilevel modeling, latent class analysis, and simulation studies to address complex educational and social challenges. She has held prior roles as a Senior Data Analyst at the University of Missouri and contributed to projects in alcohol cognition research and K-12 education policy.

Her professional experience spans academic research, educational policy analysis, and program evaluation. She actively collaborates with institutions such as Columbia Public Schools and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, applying quantitative methods to real-world problems in education, agriculture, and veterinary sciences.