Jonathan Nakamoto

Overview

Jonathan Nakamoto is a quantitative methodologist with over 15 years of applied research and evaluation experience at WestEd. Nakamoto develops and manages experimental and quasi-experimental research designs and conducts the statistical analyses for the designs. Additionally, he conducts cost analyses, designs surveys, develops survey administration protocols, and analyzes survey data. He has extensive experience in managing and analyzing longitudinal and multivariate data. 

Nakamoto directs evaluation projects in multiple content domains. He currently co-directs an evaluation of chronic absenteeism intervention for an Education Innovation and Research (EIR) grant. He led evaluations of Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) programs that were implemented with youth residing in group homes and juvenile detention facilities. Additionally, he has contributed to multiple evaluations funded by Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) grants.

Nakamoto has published widely in peer-reviewed journals and co-authored over 50 technical research reports. His work has been cited over 3,500 times. His published work in peer-reviewed journals has utilized a variety of analytic techniques, including hierarchical linear modeling, structural equation modeling, multiple imputation, and meta-analysis. He was the lead author for two studies that met the rigorous What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) standards.  

Education

• PhD in developmental psychology, University of Southern California 
• MA in developmental psychology, University of Southern California 
• BA in psychology, Occidental College 

Select Publications

Nakamoto, J., Grant, A., Baskerville, T., & Petrosino, A. (2024). Regression discontinuity design: A method to rigorously evaluate interventions to reduce crime and improve the justice system. WestEd. https://www.wested.org/resources/regression-discontinuity-design/  

Nabors, A., Nakamoto, J., Tripathy, R., & Allender, S. (2023). Magnet school evaluation guide. WestEd. https://www.wested.org/resources/magnet-school-evaluation-guide/  

Wendt, S. J., Nakamoto, J., MacDougall, P., & Petrosino, A. (2022). Impacts of Healthy U: A cluster-randomized control trial of a sexual health education app developed for justice-involved male youth. Children and Youth Services Review, 139, Article 106555. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2022.106555 

Nakamoto, J., Wendt, S., & Bowden, A. B. (2020). Healthy U: A cost analysis of implementing a sexual health education app in juvenile justice facilities. WestEd. https://www.wested.org/resources/healthy-u-cost-analysis/  

Nakamoto, J., & Bojorquez, J. C. (2017). Pathways to STEM Initiative (PSI): Evaluation report for an Investing in Innovation (I3) development grant (ERIC Number: ED573965). WestEd. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED573965.pdf  

Honors, Awards, and Affiliations

Ed Myers Award for Exceptional Contribution to the WestEd Community