Institute of Education

Publications

• Book

  Abashkin V., Abdrakhmanova G., Demidkina O. V. et al.

  Digital Economy: 2026 : Pocket Data Book

  This pocket data book contains the main indicators reflecting the relevance of digital technologies for enterprises and individuals, the activity of ICT sector enterprises, the infrastructure and personnel of the digital economy.

  The data book includes information of the Russian Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat), Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation, European Statistical Office (Eurostat), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), UNESCO, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and results of methodological and analytical studies of the HSE Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge.

  In some cases, the presented data specify those published earlier.

  M.: HSE ISSEK, 2026.

• Article

  Omopekunola M., Kardanova E.

  Can Large Language Models Develop High-Stakes Physics Exam Items? A Comprehensive Study of Cognitive and Psychometric Efficacy

  High-stakes assessment is crucial for evaluating student performance and making significant educational decisions. Traditionally, the development of test items for such examinations has relied on manual development by subject matter experts. However, Automated Item Generation (AIG) using Large Language Models (LLMs) has emerged as a promising alternative, though systematic research on their application in high-stakes assessments, particularly in STEM fields like physics, is limited. High-stakes physics assessments must evaluate a range of cognitive skills, from basic recall to advanced analytical thinking. Previous AIG studies have predominantly focused on lower-order cognitive skills, neglecting higher-order thinking. Moreover, the psychometric quality of items generated by LLMs has not been thoroughly validated, raising concerns about their validity and reliability for high-stakes contexts. To explore this, we investigated LLM capabilities in generating physics test items suitable for Nigeria’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Based on our preliminary findings, the current study utilized Gemini 2.0 flash and instructional prompting technique for item generation. Bloom’s taxonomy was used as a framework to generate items of different cognitive levels in line with the UTME blueprint. The quality of the generated items was evaluated through expert reviews using a six-criteria rubric and pilot testing with 527 final-year high school students. Psychometric analysis, based on Classical Test Theory and Item Response Theory, confirmed the high quality of the LLM-generated physics test, demonstrating unidimensionality and good psychometric properties. This study demonstrates that under controlled conditions and with expert review, LLMs can produce high-stakes physics MCQ items whose psychometric qualities (difficulty, discrimination) are comparable to those of a real UTME physics test. This suggests LLMs have potential as cost-effective item-generation tools, for educational institutions and testing organizations.

  Journal of Science Education and Technology. 2026.

• Book chapter

  Pavel S. Sorokin, Vyatskaya Y., Chernenko S.

  Higher education system development in Russia. In search of increasing contribution to socioeconomic transformation

  This chapter looks at the transformations of the Russian higher education system with special attention to the most recent years, beginning from 2020. Currently, socioeconomic development is problematic, and the external pressures (international sanctions and risks of “brain drain” as well as social tensions) are unprecedentedly high, which demands that higher education institutions produce a greater impact on economic growth, technological modernization, and social cohesion. Instead of one-sided integration in the international field and adaptation of Western approaches to policies and procedures (i.e., Bologna process), new models of policymaking are principally being launched. The priority for higher education policy now is engaging students and young scholars in both world-class fundamental research and applied projects. Participation in research and development activities becomes an essential and obligatory part of the education process. These are the core features of the program “Priority 2030” (issued in 2021). The chapter further looks at other key initiatives in higher education policy, including the federal project “Platform of University Technological Entrepreneurship” and the “World Class Research Centers” project, demonstrating a variety of ways how higher education institutions are being pushed toward producing more impact by, for instance, generating tens of thousands of students start-ups and launching university start-up studios.

  In bk.: Transformations of Higher Education in BRICS. Policy, Procedures, and Practice. Abingdon: Routledge, 2025. Ch. 6. P. 105-135.

• Working paper

  Antipkina I., Ivanov A., Guzhelya D.

  Explicit continuum scale format reduces the ceiling effect in self-report questionnaires comparing to Likert response format

  This study presents a methodology for developing a new questionnaire format called explicit continuum scenario scales, in the example of a client focus questionnaire. Elements of the Rasch Guttman scenario scale methodology were used in its development. In three consequent studies, different aspects of the scale functioning were investigated. In Study 1, on the sample of 100 respondents, it was shown that the explicit continuum scale produces reliable results and helps avoid the ceiling effect shown in the Likert response format version of the client focus questionnaire. In Study 2, the scale was administered in a competition environment, in a sample of 735 people. Despite the positive shift of scores, the instrument shows excellent psychometric characteristics and still resists the ceiling effect. In Study 3, new items were included, and the scale was presented in an interactive format. In the sample of 65,000 university students, it demonstrated the robustness of its psychometrics characteristics including dimensionality. The results of the three studies show that the explicit continuum format has the advantage of the stable dimensionality similar to the expanded format and is promising for measurement in social sciences.

  Basic research program. WP BRP. National Research University Higher School of Economics, 2024