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Research

Brief Bio:
Dr. Michael Posner is a Professor of Statistics and Data Science in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Villanova University, where he has been since 2005 after completing his Ph.D. in biostatistics at Boston University. His publications and research span the fields of biostatistics, statistics and the law, analysis of observational studies, and statistics and data science education research and curricular reform. He has served as Chair of the ASA's Section on Statistics and Data Science Education, Associate Director for Professional Development for the Consortium for the Advancement of Undergraduate Statistics Education (CAUSE), Chair of the Special Interest Group of the Mathematical Association of America (SIGMAA) for Statistics Education, Education Outreach Officer for the Philadelphia Chapter of the ASA, and Treasurer of the Boston Chapter of the ASA. He was PI on Training a New Generation of Statistic Educators (TANGO Stat Ed), a national training grant for community college statistics instructors, and is/was Co-PI on grants to create a family of motivational attitudes instruments toward statistics and data science and interdisciplinary development of data science curricula, all funded through the National Science Foundation. Dr. Posner was elected Fellow of the American Statistical Association in 2017 for "outstanding leadership and mentorship in statistics education, for contributions to the field of statistics education research, and for service to the profession". He won the 2010 Villanova University Faculty Award for Innovative Teaching, the MAA's 2012 Alder Award for Distinguished Teaching, and the ASA's 2012 Waller Education Award. He is the founding Director of the Center for Statistics and Data Science Education, a Center for Excellence in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Villanova University, which provides professional development training in statistics and data science education to K-16 teachers in the Greater Philadelphia Area and training in statistical research methods to faculty at Villanova University.

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GRANTS (Awarded)

  1. Motivational Attitudes toward Statsitics and Data science Education Research (MASDER)
  2. Training a New Generation of Statistics Educators (TANGO Stat Ed)
    National Science Foundation Improving Undergraduate STEM Education program. Three year, $571,091 grant through the IUSE solicitation. Principal Investigator. Created regional hubs to promote statistics education, including establishing mentor relationships and professional development opportunities.TANGO Stat Ed Website
  3. Data Computing for All: Developing an Introductory Data Science Course in Flipped Format
    National Science Foundation Improving Undergraduate STEM Education program. Three year, $235,044 planning grant. Co-Principal Investigator, 2014-2018.
  4. Engaging Secondary School Students and Teachers Through a Proficiency-based Assessment and Reassessment of Learning Objectives (PARLO) System in Mathematics
    National Science Foundation Discovery Grant (DRK-12). $2.4 million, 4-year grant to examine an assessment paradigm in 9th grade algebra and geometry classes through a randomized controlled trial of 44 schools. Based on the Young Women’s Leadership Charter School in Chicago and Posner’s classroom-based research study. Statistician and Co-Principal Investigator. 2010-2015. See the press release and the project website
  5. Center for Statistics and Data Science Education
    Founding Director.  Three year, $50,000 grant to create the Center for Statistics Education (later renamed), a Center of Excellence in College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Villanova University. The goals of the Center are to create professional development opportunities, promote statistics education research, and examine interdisciplinary opportunities in teaching statistics across the college. 2013-2016. The Center has been offered continuing support through the Dean’s office and through self-sustaining endeavors since then.
  6. Villanova Institute for Teaching and Learning Faculty Associate Grant
    Supported classroom-based research and promoted the scholarship of teaching and learning among the faculty. $5,125. Fall 2013.
  7. DEVeloping an Inverted Classroom Experience in Statistics (DEVICES)
    Villanova Institute for Teaching and Learning Minigrant. $5260. 2012-2013.
  8. Sub-award from National Science Foundation-funded Math Science Partnership of Greater Philadelphia for $40,000 over two years to study formative assessment in the statistics classroom. 2006-2008.
  9. Examining the Link Between Being a Survivor of Childhood Cancer and Risky Behaviors in Adolescence
    Center for Nursing Research at the Villanova University College of Nursing. Statistician. $3000. 2008.
  10. Examining the Visual Impairment of Women
    Center for Nursing Research at Villanova University College of Nursing. Statistician. $1500. 2009.

STATISTICS AND DATA SCIENCE EDUCATION RESEARCH

  1. The Impact of a Proficiency-based Assessment and Reassessment of Learning Objectives System on Student Achievement and Attitudes. Posner, M.A. Statistics Education Research Journal, 2011; 10(1); 3-14.
  2. Four Perspectives on Flipping the Statistics Classroom: Pedagogy to Enhance Student-Centered LearningShonda R. Kuiper, Robert H. Carver, Michael A. Posner, Michelle Everson. Problems, Resources, and Issues in Mathematics Undergraduate Studies (PRIMUS), 2015; 25(8), 655-682. doi: 10.1080/10511970.2015.1045573
  3. Using Fun in the Statistics Classroom: An Exploratory Study of College Instructors’ Hesitations and Motivations. Lawrence M. Lesser, Amitra A. Wall, Robert H. Carver, Dennis K. Pearl, Nadia Martin, Shonda Kuiper, Michael A. Posner, Patricia Erickson, Shu-Min Liao, Jim Albert, John J. Weber III. Journal of Statistics Education, 2013; 21(1); 1-33. www.amstat.org/publications/jse/v21n1/lesser.pdf

  4. Preparing All Students for the Data‑driven World.  Christo Dichev, Darina Dicheva, Lillian Cassel, Don Goelman, Michael A. Posner.  Accepted for publication in Symposium on Computing at Minority Institutions, 2016.

  5. Instructor Characteristics Associated with Improved Student Attitudes Toward Statistics.  Revise and Resubmit, Statistics Education Research Journal.

    6.  

EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH

  1. Managing the grading paradox: Leveraging the Power of Choice in the Classroom.   Dobrow, S.R., Smith, W.K., and Posner, M.A. Academy of Management Learning and Education, 2011; 10(2);261-276.  Also in Best Paper Proceedings of the Academy of Management Conference.
  2. Evaluating Pedagogical Techniques In Introductory Statistics: Proficiency Grading And Assignment Resubmission.  Proceedings from the International Association of Statistics Education Conference on Assessment, August 2007.
  3. Formative Assessment at Villanova University: A Pilot Study.  Grant from Math Science Partnership of Greater Philadelphia.
  4. Assisted in publication of Shaping the College Experience Outside the Classroom (The University of Rochester Press) by James Scannell and Kathleen Simpson (1995). 

PROPENSITY SCORES - ANALYSIS OF OBSERVATIONAL STUDIES

  1. Comparing Standard Regression, Propensity Score Matching, and Instrumental Variables Methods for Determining the Effectiveness of Mammography in Older Women.  Michael A. Posner, Arlene Ash, Michael Shwartz, Karen Freund, Mark Moskowitz. Health Services and Outcomes Research Methodology, 2001; 2:279-290.
  2. Weighting within Strata: A New Method of Sample Selection using Propensity Scores.  Michael A. Posner.  Revise and Resubmit, Health Services Outcomes Research Methodology.
  3. Post-Hospital Medical Respite Care and Hospital Readmission of Homeless Persons.  Stefan Kertesz, Michael A. Posner, Stacy Swain, Arlene Ash, Michael Shwartz.  Journal of Prevention and Intervention in the Community, 2009; 37:1-14. 
  4. Improving Follow-Up to Abnormal Breast Cancer Screening in an Urban Population: A Patient Navigation Intervention.  Tracy Battaglia, Michael A. Posner, Kathryn Roloff, Karen M. Freund.  Cancer, 2006; 109(2 Suppl): 359-67.

PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH

  1. Smoking, Alcohol Consumption and Binge Drinking Among Young Adult Childhood Cancer Survivors Surveyed in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health.  Mary Ann Cantrell, Michael A. Posner.  Accepted for publication at Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology, 2016.

  2. Psychological Distress Between Young Adult Female Survivors of Childhood Cancer and Matched Female Cohorts Surveyed in the Adolescent Health Study.  Mary Ann Cantrell, Michael A. Posner.   Cancer Nursing, 2014; 37:4; 271-277.  doi: 10.1097/NCC.0000000000000105

  3. The Effectiveness of a Brief Evidence-Based Substance Abuse Treatment on Urban Adolescents.  Michael J. Mason, Michael A. Posner.  Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse, 2009; 18:2;193-206.
  4. Evaluation of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Recommendations Regarding Routine Testing for Human Immunodeficiency Virus on an Inpatient Service.  Who Are We Missing? .  Greenwald, JL, Rich, CA, Bassega, S, Posner, MA, Maeda, JL, Skolnik, P.  Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2006: 81(4): 452-8
  5. Do Variations in Disease Prevalence Limit the Usefulness of Population-Based Hospitalization Rates for Studying Variations in Hospital Amissions?  Michael Shwartz, Erol Pekoz, Arlene Ash, Michael A. Posner, Joseph Restuccia, Lisa Iezzoni.  Medical Care, 2005; 43: 4-11.
  6. Pap Smear Rates among Haitian Immigrant Women in Eastern Massachusetts.  Eric Green, Michael A. Posner, Karen M. Freund, Michele David.  Public Health Reports, 2005; 120: 133-139.
  7. Mammography Use.  Michele David, Lindo Ko, Michael A. Posner, Eric Green, Karen M. Freund.  Journal of the National Medical Association, 2005;97:2:1-9.
  8. Using Claims Data to Examine Mortality Trends Following Hospitalization for Heart Attack in Medicare.  Arlene S. Ash, Michael A. Posner, Lindsey Bramwell, Jeanne Speckman, Shakira Franco, Andrew Yacht.  Health Services Research 2003:38:5:1253-1262.
  9. Comparing the Importance of Disease Rate Variation vs. Practice Style Variation in Explaining Small Area Variations in Hospitalization Rates for Two Respiratory Conditions.  Erol Pekoz, Michael Shwartz, Lisa Iezzoni, Arlene Ash, Michael A. Posner, Joseph Restuccia. Statistics in Medicine, 2003; 22:1775-1786.
  10. Do "We Just Know"? Masked Assessors' Ability to Accurately Identify Children with Prenatal Cocaine Exposure.  Ruth Rose-Jacobs, Howard Cabral, Michael A. Posner, Jennifer Epstein, Deborah Frank.  Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 23(5):340-346, October 2002.
  11. Cervical Cancer Screening Rates in Haitian Communities in the Greater Boston Area.  Green EH, Ko LK, Posner M, Freund KM, Prudent N, David M.. Journal of General Internal Medicine 2002;16 (s1):159.
  12. Children Who Witness Violence and Parent Report of Child Behavior. Marilyn Augustyn, Deborah Frank, Michael A. Posner, Barry Zuckerman. Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine. Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine 156:800-803, August 2002.
  13. Quantifying Practice Effects in Longitudinal Research with the WISC-R and WAIS-R: A Study of Children and Adolescents with Hemophilia and Male Siblings Without Hemophilia.  Patricia A. Sirois, Michael A. Posner, James A. Stehbens, Kate A. Loveland, Sharon Nichols, Sharyne M. Donfield,  Terese S. Bell, S. D. Hill, Nancy Amodei, and the Hemophilia Growth and Development Study.  Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 27;2;121-131, March 2002.

OTHER RESEARCH

  1. Exposure Patterns in the Digital Domain: A Demographic Analysis of Media Use and Access in the United States.  Daniel E. Trucil, Leonard Shyles, Emory Woodard IV, David J. Penyak, Heather Hundley, Michael A. Posner.  Canadian Social Science, 2014; 10(5); 1-14.  doi:10.3968/4967

EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL

  1. Statistics: The Art and Science of Learning.  Contributor.
  2. Module 8: Inference for One Proportion.  Michael A. Posner.  Statistical Pathways (“Statway”), a yearlong college-level statistics course targeted at developmental mathematics students.  The Charles A. Dana Center and the University of Texas at Austin.  Funded by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.  Released June 2011 (Carnegie Foundation) and September 2011 (Dana Center).

EXPOSITORY ARTICLES and OTHER PUBLICATIONS

  1.  Collaboration to Meet the Statistical Needs in the Chemistry Curriculum.  Marie Davidian and Charles Kutal.  Journal of Chemistry Education, 2013.  doi: 10.1021/ed400516y.  Drafted the letter as part of the ASA Statistics Education and Chemistry Work Group.
  2. Response to ‘Statistics a la Mode’.  K. Scott Alberts, Nancy Boynton, Brian Gill, Patricia Humphrey, John McKenzie, Michael A. Posner, and Andrew Zieffler.  AmStat News, February 2012.
  3. Letter to the Editor.  K. Scott Alberts, Nancy Boynton, Brian Gill, Patricia Humphrey, John McKenzie, Michael A. Posner, and Andrew Zieffler.  Math Horizons, February 2012.

  4. Final Report: Risk Adjustment Models to Examine AMI Mortality Trend.  Arlene S. Ash, Michael A. Posner, Christine Chaisson, Jeanne Speckman, Shakira Franco, Andrew C. Yacht, Deb Caldwell, Michael Hadad, Mark A. Moskowitz.  Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.  December 2001.  Revised in June 2002.

    Final Report: More Disease: How Major a Factor is Higher Utilization?  Michael Shwartz, Arlene Ash, Michael A. Posner, Erol Pekoz, Joseph Restuccia.  Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Grant #R03 HS09832-01.  August 2001.

    Assisted in publication of Shaping the College Experience Outside the Classroom (The University of Rochester Press) by James Scannell and Kathleen Simpson (1996).