She has developed expertise in mixed methods research designs, with particular focus on instrument development procedures such as grounded theory analysis, cognitive interviews, and exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. In addition to mixed methods research designs, Dr. Howell Smith’s research interests include educational supports for at-risk students, increasing women and underrepresented students in STEM fields, and best practices for developing surveys and assessments. Dr. Howell Smith also serves as a lecturer in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and has taught “Introduction to Mixed Methods Research” ten times since 2013.