Provo MTC PhD Research Intern (Unpaid Part-Time) | Language Performance Assessment at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Assessment Design and Construct Work

• Support refinement of the speaking construct definition and intended score interpretations

• Review analytic rubric dimensions and level descriptors for clarity, coherence, and alignment with the construct

• Assist with documentation of scoring principles and interpretive guidance

Task and Item Review

• Participate in review of speaking prompts for construct alignment, appropriateness, and coverage

• Assist with mapping prompts to task families and proficiency expectations

• Support identification of gaps in the initial item pool

Validity and Reliability Planning

• Contribute to planning for content validity, construct representation, and early reliability analyses

• Assist with preparation of materials for SME review and cognitive labbing

• Help draft sections of technical documentation related to validation strategy

Research Support and Documentation

• Support cognitive labbing activities (e.g., administering protocols, documenting participant feedback, summarizing findings)

• Support preparation of pilot protocols, scoring guides, or research artifacts as needed

Required Qualifications

• Current enrollment in a PhD program in:

Educational Measurement / Psychometrics

Applied Linguistics

Educational Psychology

Program Evaluation

A closely related field

• Strong foundational knowledge of:

Assessment design principles

Rubric‑based scoring

Validity and reliability concepts

• Ability to analyze and synthesize research findings

• Strong written communication skills, especially the ability to explain technical concepts clearly

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with performance assessments, especially speaking or writing

• Familiarity with rater‑mediated scoring or rubric development

• Exposure to AI‑supported or automated scoring, or interest in ethical use of AI in assessment