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	Address:	University of Washington Social Development Research Group 9725 3rd Avenue NE Seattle, WA 98115 USA
	Phone:	206-543-1139
	Fax:	206-543-4507
	E-mail:	abbottr@u.washington.edu

Biographical information

I have worked with David Hawkins and Richard Catalano since 1985, initially with the Seattle Social Development Project, and now on SSDP as well as several other SDRG Projects.

My research and teaching are focused on the appropriate use of statistical methods in educational research. To use statistical methods appropriately the researcher must understand the assumptions of classical methods such as correlation and analysis of variance, and, when appropriate, use newer statistical approaches such as structural equation modeling (to incorporate adjustments for measurement error in research) and the analysis of growth curves (to study learning over time).

Currently, I collaborate with three groups of researchers. The first group consists of Educational Psychology faculty (Dr. Virginia Berninger and Dr. Deborah McCutchen) and faculty in medicine who are studying the diagnosis and remediation of reading and writing disabilities with the assistance of a federal grant funding centers on learning disabilities in the United States. The second group consists of faculty from education, sociology, psychology, and social work in the Social Development Research Group. This federally funded group is researching ways to help children become more attached and committed to school, family and community to decrease the likelihood of children's antisocial behavior such as delinquency, drug use, and school problems. The third group is funded by two major research grants to investigate processes underlying autism and consists of faculty in psychology, speech and hearing sciences, and medicine.