My methodological approach is guided by the assumption that student development is heterogeneous and context-dependent. Rather than seeking single average effects, I am interested in identifying meaningful patterns of experience that reflect how students are embedded within relational systems.
This orientation aligns with theoretical perspectives that emphasize development as a process shaped by interactions between individuals and their environments.
- Person-centred methods (e.g., latent profile analysis)
- Multilevel modelling of student- and school-level processes
- Model-based approaches to examining relational configurations
- Theory-informed quantitative analysis
The Role of Methods in My Research
In my research, methods are not treated as neutral tools, but as lenses that shape what kinds of developmental processes become visible. Methodological choices are therefore closely linked to theoretical assumptions about development, context, and relational processes.
This perspective motivates my interest in approaches that preserve heterogeneity and avoid overgeneralisation.
Chenxi Shhen | Academic Site 