What Is Assessment

Assessment Challenges -- DESIGN

All research designs involve choices. Every strategy has weaknesses as well as strengths.
Survey data reflect responses from a sample at a single point in time. The sample may not reflect the larger population and the timing of the survey may adversely influence the responses.
Longitudinal studies have problems with cost, respondent attrition, and length of time before obtaining useable results.
Pre-test/Post-test, value added, and before/after difference scores are beset by problems of uncontrolled intervening variables, practice effects, ceiling effects, and regression effects that make interpretation hazardous.
Qualitative judgments about student learning are not easily summarized.
It is often difficult to identify the origins of student growth and change (campus experiences vs. non-college experiences vs. maturity) – Use self-reported measures or controlled conditions to isolate the curricular or co-curricular experiences that produce the change.
Knowing two variables are related is important information, but knowing the strength or educational significance of the relationship is even more important.

Make the assessment methodology and instruments congruent with the purposes of the assessment (avoid "backing in").
Don’t wait for the Grand Plan. Get started by examining existing assessment evidence on the campus and see what it tells you about student learning and educational effectiveness.