Skip to main content
West Virginia University Office of the Provost

Methods of Assessment

The chart below is a modified version of the information found at http://www.brookes.ac.uk/services/ocsd/2_learntch/methods.html which uses the eight categories of learning outcomes described by Nightingale et al (1996).*

Is the goal or objective...

Then consider…

Thinking critically and making judgments?

(Developing arguments, reflecting, evaluating, assessing, judging)
  • Essay
  • Report
  • Journal
  • Letter of Advice to (about policy, public health matters )
  • Present a case for an interest group
  • Prepare a committee briefing paper for a specific meeting
  • Book review (or article) for a particular journal
  • Write a newspaper article for a foreign newspaper
  • Comment on an article's theoretical perspective

Solving problems and developing plans?

(Identifying problems, posing problems, defining problems, analyzing data, reviewing, designing experiments, planning, applying information)
  • Problem scenario
  • Group Work
  • Work-based problem
  • Prepare a committee of enquiry report
  • Draft a research bid to a realistic brief
  • Analyze a case
  • Conference paper (or notes for a conference paper plus annotated bibliography)

Performing procedures and demonstrating techniques?

(Computation, taking readings, using equipment, following laboratory procedures, following protocols, carrying out instructions)
  • Demonstration
  • Role Play
  • Make a video (write script and produce/make a video)
  • Produce a poster
  • Lab report
  • Prepare an illustrated manual on using the equipment, for a particular audience
  • Observation of real or simulated professional practice

Managing and developing oneself?

(Working co-operatively, working independently, learning independently, being self-directed, managing time, managing tasks, organizing)
  • Journal
  • Portfolio
  • Learning Contract
  • Group work

Accessing and managing information?

(Researching, investigating, interpreting, organizing information, reviewing, and paraphrasing information, collecting data, searching and managing information sources, observing and interpreting)
  • Annotated bibliography
  • Project
  • Dissertation
  • Applied task
  • Applied problem

Demonstrating knowledge and understanding?

(Recalling, describing, reporting, recounting, recognizing, identifying, relating & interrelating)
  • Written examination
  • Oral examination
  • Essay
  • Report
  • Comment on the accuracy of a set of records
  • Devise an encyclopedia entry
  • Produce an A - Z of ...
  • Write an answer to a client's question
  • Short answer questions: True/False/ Multiple Choice Questions (paper-based or computer-aided-assessment)

Designing, creating, performing?

(Imagining, visualizing, designing, producing, creating, innovating, performing)
  • Portfolio
  • Performance
  • Presentation
  • Hypothetical
  • Projects

Communicating?

(One and two-way communication; communication within a group, verbal, written and non-verbal communication. Arguing, describing, advocating, interviewing, negotiating, presenting; using specific written forms)
  • Written presentation (essay, report, reflective paper etc.)
  • Oral presentation
  • Group work
  • Discussion/debate/role play
  • Participate in a 'Court of Enquiry'
  • Presentation to camera
  • Observation of real or simulated professional practice

* Nightingale, P., Te Wiata, I.T., Toohey, S., Ryan, G., Hughes, C., Magin, D. (1996) Assessing Learning in Universities Professional Development Centre, University of New South Wales, Australia.

Source: Oxford Brookes University, (2007). Methods of assessment. Retrieved May 14, 2008, from Oxford Brookes University Web site: http://www.brookes.ac.uk/services/ocsd/2_learntch/methods.html