AI-Powered Construct Exploration for Making Data Count with Carrie Conaway

The Challenge: Students in Conaway's "Making Data Count" course struggled to understand the multiple ways core concepts could be measured and often delayed finding data sources for their final projects until too late in the semester.

The AI Solution: Conaway redesigned her Construct & Measures Exploration assignment to strategically integrate AI as a research and critique partner. Students select a construct central to their final project, then use AI to generate five different definitions of that construct. After choosing one definition, they engage AI again to critique real-world measures they discover, comparing the AI's analysis with their own judgment. The assignment includes clear AI use guidelines and requires transparent acknowledgment of AI assistance.

What Made It Work: By positioning AI as both a brainstorming tool and a critical thinking partner, students gained exposure to definitional complexity while getting an early start on data source identification. The dual AI-human critique process helped students develop more sophisticated analytical skills.

Key Takeaway: This approach shows how AI can serve as both an idea generator and a thinking partner when students need to grapple with conceptual complexity—applicable across disciplines where students must navigate multiple definitions or approaches.

Resources:

• Construct & Measures Assignment Template
• Learning Agendas Assignment with AI Guidelines
• Process-focused Learning and Assessment for AI and Learning Skills - Northeastern University Center for Advancing Teaching & Learning through Research