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Academic interests
My research interests lie at the intersection of psychometrics, educational measurement, and statistical methodology. I am particularly interested in developing and evaluating statistical models for understanding learning development.
My methodological interests include:
- Computerized adaptive testing and assessment, including the use of response times and the use of log files
- Latent variable modelling, including item response theory and cognitive diagnostic models
- Hierarchical and longitudinal modelling, particularly for understanding individual differences, group-level effects and changes over time
- Change-point and anomaly detection, particularly for identifying unusual response patterns and investigating fairness and integrity in high-stakes assessments
- Statistical learning and machine learning, with applications to educational and psychological measurement
- Bayesian inference and computational methods, including parameter estimation and model evaluation
My previous research has focused on digital learning and assessment data, particularly in the context of reading development and educational technology. I am increasingly interested in advancing the statistical methodology underlying educational and psychological measurement, beyond specific applications.
Courses taught
- MAE4010 Constructing Measures
- MAE4101 Measurement Models
Background
I joined the University of Oslo as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in October 2026.
Before joining UiO, I worked as a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Lancaster University (2025–2026), collaborating with Dr Gabriel Wallin on research related to the Duolingo English Test.
I completed my PhD at Lancaster University (2021–2025), under the supervision of Professor Kate Cain, Dr Anastasia Ushakova, and Dr Gabriel Wallin. My doctoral research was based at the Centre for Health Informatics, Computing and Statistics and involved interdisciplinary work combining psychology and statistics, including research in collaboration with Amplify on its Boost Reading, a digital reading supplement.
I obtained my Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics from Xiamen University, China (2017–2021).
Positions held
- 2026–present: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, CREATE, University of Oslo, Norway
- 2025–2026: Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Mathematical Sciences, Lancaster University, UK
Partners
Previous research collaborations with:
- Amplify, educational technology company, USA
- Duolingo, language learning and assessment company, USA
Publications
- Ma, Y., Cain, K., Ushakova, A., & Wallin, G. (2026). A statistical framework for dynamic cognitive diagnosis in digital learning environments. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society: Series A, Article qnag104. https://doi.org/10.1093/jrsssa/qnag104
- Ma, Y., Wallin, G., Ushakova, A., & Cain, K. (2026). A comparison of joint and stepwise dynamic cognitive diagnostic models. In Proceedings of the 90th Annual International Meeting of the Psychometric Society, Minneapolis, United States, 2025. https://doi.org/10.64028/imps2025.plrEWQ6zdo
- Ma, Y., Cain, K., & Ushakova, A. (2024). Application of cluster analysis to identify different reader groups through their engagement with a digital reading supplement. Computers & Education, 214, Article 105025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2024.105025