Validating the new student evaluation form

Fox, RP

Abstract

In 1997 the University introduced a new module evaluation form. The design of the
form differed considerably from the typical 5 point Likert type scoring questionnaire
encountered at many institutions. Instead, much greater weight was given to
qualitative comments, only two scoring questions were asked instead of the typical
15 to 30. Although adoption of this form was voluntary it soon became the standard
throughout the University. The purpose of this project was to reflect on this
experience both from an institutional and educational point of view. There have been
two outcomes. Firstly, this work formed the basis of a confidential report to the
external University Audit team as evidence of the University as an innovative and
reflective practitioner. Secondly, two working papers have been written and will be
included in the School’s working paper series. The titles are: A content analysis of
student written comments and From Quantitative to Qualitative Assessment:
evaluating student questionnaires of teaching effectiveness. Both papers are
available from the author. The first paper compares our results with the only known
other study of its kind in the US. The conclusions are that statistical analysis of
comments provides a clear picture of students’ views on courses with similarities and
differences in priorities with that of the US study. The second paper records the
immediate reactions of the faculties as gathered by a questionnaire. The paper
further reflects on the interpretation problems of the numerical and qualitative
(comments based) approaches by means of a case study. It is intended to progress
this work, which was unfortunately delayed through staff changes, by publicising it
more widely. To date one paper has been given at a Student Feedback Systems
Conference at Loughborough University June 1999 as part of an FDTL project
funded by HEFCE (http://www.lboro.ac.uk/service/sd/sfs/aims_and_objectives.html).

Citation

Fox, R. Validating the new student evaluation form

• Report Type: Project Report
• Deposit Date: Jun 19, 2009
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 19, 2009
• Additional Information: Funders : Teaching and Learning Quality Improvement Scheme