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A STEM dictionary for quantitative text analysis in online education: development and validation
Article
Heilemann, Michael and Stoeger, Heidrun
(2026)
A STEM dictionary for quantitative text analysis in online education: development and validation.
Education and Information Technologies.
DOI to cite this document: 10.5283/epub.79348
Abstract
Effective online STEM education programs depend on participants’ engagement in discussions about STEM-related topics. The lack of efficient and validated measurement instruments for systematically analyzing such communication, however, limits the collection of behavioral data in this area. This article presents the development and assessment of the main psychometric properties of a LIWC-based ...
Effective online STEM education programs depend on participants’ engagement in discussions about STEM-related topics. The lack of efficient and validated measurement instruments for systematically analyzing such communication, however, limits the collection of behavioral data in this area. This article presents the development and assessment of the main psychometric properties of a LIWC-based STEM dictionary designed to measure STEM-related communication. A series of 10 studies examined the dictionary using classical test theory criteria, including objectivity (particularly objectivity of scoring and interpretation), reliability (parallel-test, split-half, and retest reliability), and validity (construct and criterion validity, including both concurrent and predictive validity). These studies were conducted within the context of a nationwide online mentoring program for girls, focusing on participants’ STEM communication on a secure mentoring platform. Results indicate that the STEM dictionary provides a reliable and valid instrument for measuring STEM-related communication in online educational contexts. We discuss the potential of the dictionary-based approach for evaluating computer-based educational measures in STEM and its use as an efficient method for analyzing communication processes in digital learning environments.
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Details
| Item type | Article | ||||
| Journal or Publication Title | Education and Information Technologies | ||||
| Publisher | Springer | ||||
| Open Access Type | DEAL (Springer) | ||||
| Date | 23 April 2026 | ||||
| Date of publication | 28 Apr 2026 11:19 | ||||
| Institutions | Human Sciences > Institut für Bildungswissenschaft > Lehrstuhl für Schulpädagogik (Prof. Dr. Heidrun Stöger) Human Sciences > Institut für Bildungswissenschaft | ||||
| Identification Number |
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| Keywords | STEM education · Quantitative text analysis · Digital educational contexts · Dictionary development · Computer-based education · STEM communication · Educational assessment · Mentoring | ||||
| Dewey Decimal Classification | 300 Social sciences > 370 Education | ||||
| Status | Published | ||||
| Refereed | Yes, this version has been refereed | ||||
| Created at the University of Regensburg | Yes | ||||
| URN of the UB Regensburg | urn:nbn:de:bvb:355-epub-793483 | ||||
| Item ID | 79348 |
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