Some Questions to Think About When Designing an Assessment
1. What is your question?
2. What type of outcome do you want to measure?
o Cognitive  Student can self-report knowledge (ok) or they can demonstrate it (better).
o Affective  Attitudes can be demonstrated, but often it is more practical to ask students
about their attitudes.
2. What type of data do you want to collect?
o Psychological  It is often easier to ask about someone’s personal traits than it is to
observe them.
o Behavioral  Student can self-report behavior (ok) or they can demonstrate it (better).
3. What is your time frame?
o Short-term: Allows for a variety of assessments during/immediately following programs.
o Long-term: Can be difficult to track students and retain their commitment.
4. What type of measure do you want/need? Direct is most desirable, but practically speaking a mix of
types is good.
o Direct measures require you to evaluate the products of students’ work.
o Indirect measures are based on students’ perceptions and/or often draw a connection
between some activity and a desired outcome.
o Norm-, criterion- or self-referenced
5. Additional considerations
o Are you assessing behaviors or attitudes that are sensitive, controversial, or personal? If so,
the anonymity/confidentiality of a survey can be a significant benefit. Beware of “socially
desirable” responses.
o What type of assessment is likely to be most effective with your target population?
o How many students are involved?
o What are your assessment skills and where can you find help? Talk to a friendly skeptic.
o What are your resources (human, financial, etc.)?
o What is your time frame for the assessment and producing results?
o What evidence, if any, do you have already? What will compliment it?
o What is convincing evidence from your audience’s perspective?
Assessment question:
Type of outcome:
Type of data:
Time frame:
Type of measure:
Additional considerations:
What type of evidence do you have already (if any?)
Who is the audience for your assessment?
Possible assessment tools: